| Mike's Story
Mike enlisted in the Army Signal Corp. following his degree in Mechanical Drawing. Soon after 9-11-01, he switched to the 82nd Airborne Division. He vowed to defend America as his forefathers did before him. He viewed the attacks of 9-11-01 as no different as the attack on Pearl Harbor. In Iraq, his unit was attached to the 3rd I.D. during the start of the war. Upon returning home from 11 months in Iraq Michael reenlisted and joined the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was sent to Afghanistan. Mike loved the military, he said I love what I do and I'm good at it. He wanted to spare his two younger brothers the horrors of war. Michael was a warrior and refused to fail. He never faulted in his duty as an American Soldier. He personified the meaning of selfless service,(always putting the welfare of his fellow soldiers above his own). He demostrated personal courage in the presence of countless dangers. He did not want to die but if it were to happen to achieve his mission he would bear that cross with honor. In this regard Michael was no different than all the other men and woman who serve this great nation. Their love for our flag and what it stands for is something all Americans should hold dear. I will always remember what mike said in a letter to his father while sitting in the middle of the desert waiting for the war to start. "As I look over my shoulder, I see our flag sittin there, and I say thats what makes it all worth while, our flag." |
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HE IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO
As we enjoy the liberties of this great country, we must also shoulder the burden of her defense. Our veterans indeed shouldered their share of that burden, some to the point of ultimate sacrifice. Their selfless service to our country can never be forgotten. For a country who forgets its defenders, will itself soon be forgotten. To the men and women of our armed forces this is not just a job. It is their belief and their commitment to us here at home. They ask nothing in return, not power, not wealth, not fame, to them protecting America is a privilege, an honor, a solemn duty that is passed like a torch from their parents and grandparents before them. As I think of our heroes and their values, I am reminded of the 3rd verse of “America the Beautiful”. It reads, “Oh beautiful for heroes prov’d, in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.”
As our heroes lose their life in defending America, they bestow upon us a duty. It is a duty we did not ask for, it is a duty filled with sorrow and pride. This duty is to be the guardians of their honor and the builders of their monuments. We will be looked upon and judged by future generations as to how we honor and memorialize our heroes and defenders. As we remember them, we should think of the passion they had for the job they chose, then we need to have the same passion for causes that would make them proud. This is why this foundation was formed. Please support our troops, we owe them this. Thank you.
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