Thank you Orphan. You have heard this before, but I must say it again.
Veterans, when they raise their hand, "I (state your name) do solemnly swear........" , sign that blank check that offers up everything to include ones life. The situation can collect on that check at any time whether it is in kandahar, saigon or downtown bellingham. You never know when the bill will come due. A Veteran, no matter how long they serve, or where they serve, says "Sure, fair trade, my life for the Freedom of the Republic." That is what today is about. Honoring those who stand at Freedoms Gate and say" No, you must go through me first."
MSG I understand. My ancestors stood at freedoms gate and said no long before we were a country, my son is currently an active duty Marine NCO, SGT. A partial list of my warrior ancestors and a couple of current ones:
SGT Steven Hayes Son USMC Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan, 2007-current active duty NCO
David Hayes Brother USN Vietnam
Koenig Hayes Uncle USMC Chosin Reservoir
Nathan Moore Grandfather 2nd Division US Army Belleau Wood, Argon Forest
Samuel X McClellan GGG Grandfather SGT 206th Regiment PA infantry 1861-1865
Silas Morgan GGG Grandfather, Army of the North Civil War
Merriman Hupp GGGG Grandfather 20th Regiment Ohio Infantry Civil War
Capt James Archer, GGGGG Grandfather, Continental Army, Frontier Rangers 1776-1794
Phillip Hupp GGGGG Grandfather Continental Army & USMC , Germantown, Brandywine, Valley Forge, USS Rattletrap, Rodgers Rangers
James Morgan Virginia Troops Continental Army
David Morgan French & Indian war, Fort Necessity 1757, Ft Duquesne 1755, Continental Army 1777
Capt. John Marshall 3rd Company 6th Battalion Pennsylvania, Revolutionary war.
PVT Scott Marshall, War of 1812 and Civil War fought in Civil war at age 76.
PVT William Marshall, Alexander’s Company 7th Pennsylvania regiment, Revolutionary War
SGT Frank Sharp Pennsylvania Infantry, Philippian Insurgency 1898-1899