Dear Thomas,
Today is Veteran's Day. Its a day when we honor those who serve or have served our country. Serving and protecting our country is a noble and self-sacrificing profession. Your grandfather, Pop, spent 39 years serving our country. He spent too many holidays and birthdays in foreign countries. For the sake of documentation your Pop's career included the following:
-Vietnam War (December 1968-December 1969), Phan Rang ABVN
-Vietnam War (April 1970-July 1970), DaNang ABVN
-Panama invasion to overthrow Noriega, Howard AB, Panama
-Operation Desert Shield (prior to Gulf War), United Arab Emirates
-Gulf War to remove Iraq from Kuwait, Daharan, Saudi Arabia
-Iraqi War to remove Hussien, Daharan, Saudi Arabia
-Minimal planning for the Afghan War (the war our country is currently in). He did not deploy but participated in the initial planning for the deployment of C-130's and personnel-which means he was the guy who decided who, of his subordinates, went overseas.
He knows just about everything -scratch that- He knows everything about C-130 aircrafts. Your Pop managed 9 of these gigantic planes at Maxwell Air Force Base. I look forward to taking you to see them one day. You will be fascinated, I sure am.
I pray that you grow into a gentleman who observes and honors Veteran's Day. Not just because of your grandfather, but because you appreciate the sacrifices others have given for us to live in a free nation.
Your Pop retired several years ago and now spends his days on the lake chasing fish.
