Happy Veterans Day!

I just wanted to take the time to thank all the veterans who have served our country. And also to thank the veterans in my family.

My mother's father, my grandfather Poppop, who is still living today fought for our country in WWII on a navy ship. His ship was hit with a torpedo from an enemy submarine. But as he says "it was a dud thank God, otherwise I wouldn't be here telling you my story, lol". He also had an encounter with an enemy on the ground when he was on mail duty. He had to leave the docked ship and go into town to get the mail for the ship. A guy tried to kill him with a machete when he was headed back to the ship. My grandfather said he shot him with his pistol and took off running to get help from the ship. When they came back the guy was gone!

My other grandfather, my father's dad, who is not living anymore fought in The Battle of the Bulge with the Army. During this time he helped free the Jews from the concentration camps. I don't know much else about him because he died several years later when my father was 9 years old. I do know he met General Patton. They were both in the same hospital at the same time.

My father-in-law Tom, Nathan's dad, fought in Vietnam with the Army. He started as a radio telephone operator and then went on to Tropic Lightning Ambush Academy where he received the highest score of all E4 and below. From this he was promoted to E4 and was allowed to lead ambush patrols in Vietnam. He joined the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry, of the 25th Infantry Division- Tomahawks. (now known as Stryker). He rode in helicopters and would have to jump out of them into the rice patties while the helicopter would "slow down" but not land. After 8 months in the field he was wounded in a rice patty while engaging the enemy in a firefight. He has bullet wound scars on his arm.

He has TWO Purple Heart Medals, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Service Stars, a Marksman (rifle) ribbon, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a National Defense Service Medal, to name a few :)

He was Honorably discharged leaving the Army as a Sgt E5 Command Information NCO and Training NCO.

I just want to say how proud I am to come from a family who has served their country with honor and pride. Without them we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today.

Thank you to all the veterans I have not met, to all of my friends who have served and/or are still serving and to my cousin who is currently in the Marine Corps. He just came home yesterday from being stationed in Georgia (the country).

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


"Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave."
-Henry Peter Brougham