If I took the time to thank every veteran I know or served with I am not sure it would be accomplished in one day. It would start from my 10X great grandfathers John Cooke and Capt. Ralph Stewart of the Revolutionary War, all down my family line to my great uncles Terry Nelson, Mackie Nelson, JD Nelson (Vietnam) and my grandfather Romey Nelson who was a fellow devil dog Marine Corps veteran (I have MANY other military family members... too many to list. Thank you, you know who you are).To any comrade that I have ever served with, thank you so much for the opportunity to even know you. I think back to Chris Dolin, Julian Carter, Michael Gillis, Matthew A. Bramlett, myself, and many others at Parris Island (the nations toughest boot camp location)... the place where we grew up and became men. (How many times did we shine the moat line boys? :) ) Chris and I (also my cousin, and the first man I swore in when I became an officer) have served together in the Marines and the Air Force. I think about Justin Davenport and my brothers from Charlie Company, 4th Combat Engineers. My mind wonders to Robert Sanderson... my saw machine gun team member who was also the preacher that joined beautiful wife and I in holy matrimony. Then I have to think about Michelle Sabala, Lori Alix, and John D. Fesler who trained me to be an officer. I could never forget my military instructor pilots like Lindsay Andrew who taught me to take a steal flying machine to defy gravity to take out bad guys. My flight members of pilot training Michael Hansen, Colby Chaput, Ryan Haliburton, Christian Weaver, and the rest of you. The oath that we took to protect the constitution does not stop when the uniform comes off. I serve with many military veterans in the Legislature as well such as Pat McGeehan, Jim Butler, and many others. Thank all of you. West Virginia has more veterans per capita than any other state in the nation... and I am so blessed to call many of them friends like Shaun Adkins, Warren McComas, Steve Marcum, Joshua Scott, Lester Searls, Gary Johngrass, Gary Farmer, Gary Monk, Mike Holbrook, Richard Ojeda, Scottie Stowers, Tom Brown, Joshua Lyall and so many others. (Please forgive me, I know good and well I didnt tag even half of you). So many memories of so many great patriots who meant every word of the oath they took to support and defend the constitution of the great United States of America. It is and was such an honor to be able to call you all friends.The times and uniforms change, but the commitment does not. Lets never forget the words of Thomas Jefferson when he said, The cost of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance. Let us always be ready to pick up the sword in defense of our country and be ready to severe any adversary of the way of life we hold so dear. Happy Veterans Day and Semper Fidelis.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 14:51:35 +0000
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