Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thank a Veteran on Veteran's Day

My grandfather Clinton, c 1918 in France.  His notation at the bottom reads "Full War Paint"

When I was just a boy, I was taught by my parents how important it was to do my duty serving in the armed forces.  My dad had served during WWII as a soldier in north Africa. 

My Grandfather Clinton, c 1970---a Proud Veteran
My Dad Took These Pictures of the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx When He Served in North Africa


My grandfather had served in the AEF in France in WWI. 


My Mom and Dad, c 1943.  He Served in North Africa in WWII


So, it was a foregone conclusion that I, too, would be a part of my family's tradition by serving in the army when I came of age.
Me, a Furman University ROTC Cadet Before Graduation in 1966
In college, I enrolled in ROTC, and when I graduated, I was commissioned as a 2nd LT. in the US Army.  I got orders to go to Vietnam on two occasions, but those orders were rescinded, and I ended up serving two years in the states in a unit that was trained in riot control.  I can't say it was a lot of fun, but it was a necessary job because of all the unrest within our country because of our involvement in Vietnam.


My Unit, The Sixth Armored Cavalry Regiment Out of Ft Meade, MD, Imposes Martial Law in Washington, DC

I'm proud of my service to my country.  Yes, it can be dangerous.  Yes, it requires a good bit of discomfort.  Yes, service in the armed forces means there will be a delay in one's life regarding one's career.  But, I have found as I look back on my life that it was an important formative experience that helped me in many ways as I progressed further into adulthood.

The Center of the DC Riots---Fourteenth Street

We in the United States and other western countries enjoy freedoms that in large part were purchased with the blood of those who stood up and defended them.  Approximately 1,200,000 American fighting men and women have been killed in defense of our freedoms.  Hundreds of thousands more have suffered non-lethal casualties.

Please take time today to say "thanks" to our veterans!  Take time, too, to reflect on our nation and give thanks to God for all that we have.

15 comments:

  1. A wonderful blog today, remembering family and others who served our country. May God continue to bless America!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amen! A great post honoring our veterans. God bless you and thank you Clint for you service in the military.

    ~Ron

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Clint, I love to see this kind of story and photos, I think you know that

    thank you for this piece of history ... I' thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you, Laura. I love your blog and look forward to all of your new posts. God bless...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Veterans Day. Wonderful photos!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Veterans Day.
    I love the picture of your parents..
    Beautiful people!!
    Monika

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you, Monika! I hope you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great post Clint! I love all the photos but especially the one of your parents sitting at the table...such a sweet picture.

    I had a history teacher in high school who always taught us the importance of thanking our veterans. She said we would be shocked how many vets were never told a simple, "thank you" for serving our country. I make a point of doing it.

    So thank you, Clint and again - a wonderful post :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Design Wine & Dine! God bless....

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely post, Clint - and the photo's are wonderful, too ! That's amazing that your Dad served in North Africa - and your service to your country, too must make you very proud !
    Have a wonderful weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. FoodFunFarmLife---thank you. I always look forward to your postings! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is amazing that you have these wonderful pictures. We have only one picture of our grandfather who died in WWII in North Africa because most of the family pictures were destroyed in a fire. Thanks for this great tribute to our veterans.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Karen---Thank you so much. I am so humbled by the knowledge that my dad lived where so many others did not. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Clint

    I just now ran across this ... doing some searches on the 6Th ACR .. I too served in the Fighting Sixth and responded to the DC riots precipitated by the MLK assassination. I was the Exec, K Troop, 3rd Squadron

    Pete

    ReplyDelete
  15. Peter---I tried to find a way to contact you, but unsuccessful. I also tried, months ago, to get info on the "Fighting Sixth". All I could come up with was a general history of the unit dating back 50 years, but not much regarding the time I was in it (1967---1969). I was in on the Pentagon riot control and the MLK riot control missions. Helluva time, wasn't it? If you want to correspond, I am at texasclint1@aol.com. God bless.

    ReplyDelete

---