ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL
Today, Marlene and I attended Veterans’ Day 2005 ceremonies at Camp Denali on Fort Richardson. It was Marlene’s (the “First Lady” of District 31) first “official outing” since her very successful total knee replacement surgery.
Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom and her husband also attended the Veterans’ Day ceremony, as well as Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman. Governor Murkowski, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, gave an excellent speech honoring veterans.
The Air Force Band of the Pacific performed throughout the ceremonies – especially poignant to me, because I began my military career as an Air Force bandsman (bassoon, saxophone, drum major) at Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, Arizona. But, of course, the playing of taps – with an echoing trumpet – was chillingly beautiful.
I’m immensely proud to be a veteran, and I wear military pins on my suit that testify to my military service. I belong to a family of military veterans. I was raised by my maternal grandparents – my Grandfather John was a World War I veteran. My mother was a World War II veteran – a member of the WAACS (Women’s Army Air Corp) who served overseas with the 15th Air Force at Bari, Italy. I’m a U.S. Air Force retiree, and a Vietnam veteran. It’s an especial honor to be Chairman of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans’ Affairs.
There’s a camaraderie known only to veterans and to active duty military people. No one enters and leaves the military the same person. Personally, the military opened doors of opportunity for me that never would have otherwise happened. Other veterans weren’t so fortunate, and sustained battle injuries in defense of our nation. Still others made the supreme sacrifice of their lives.
A lady who lost her son in Iraq said it best, “We are the Land of the Free, because America is the Home of the Brave.” God Bless our veterans and our United States Armed Forces – not just on Veteran’s Day, but everyday. All gave some, some gave all.
Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom and her husband also attended the Veterans’ Day ceremony, as well as Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman. Governor Murkowski, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, gave an excellent speech honoring veterans.
The Air Force Band of the Pacific performed throughout the ceremonies – especially poignant to me, because I began my military career as an Air Force bandsman (bassoon, saxophone, drum major) at Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, Arizona. But, of course, the playing of taps – with an echoing trumpet – was chillingly beautiful.
I’m immensely proud to be a veteran, and I wear military pins on my suit that testify to my military service. I belong to a family of military veterans. I was raised by my maternal grandparents – my Grandfather John was a World War I veteran. My mother was a World War II veteran – a member of the WAACS (Women’s Army Air Corp) who served overseas with the 15th Air Force at Bari, Italy. I’m a U.S. Air Force retiree, and a Vietnam veteran. It’s an especial honor to be Chairman of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans’ Affairs.
There’s a camaraderie known only to veterans and to active duty military people. No one enters and leaves the military the same person. Personally, the military opened doors of opportunity for me that never would have otherwise happened. Other veterans weren’t so fortunate, and sustained battle injuries in defense of our nation. Still others made the supreme sacrifice of their lives.
A lady who lost her son in Iraq said it best, “We are the Land of the Free, because America is the Home of the Brave.” God Bless our veterans and our United States Armed Forces – not just on Veteran’s Day, but everyday. All gave some, some gave all.
posted by Blogs by Rep Bob Lynn | 3:00 PM
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