Like Roger, I was lucky as well and spent my entire military "career" at either Ft Dix, working at putting 105 and 106mm recoilless rifles and .50 cals on jeeps and 3/4 tons or at Ft Devans in a combat engineer battalion, training to go to 'Nam. My time was up - they went, I didn't. Many died in that unit. I then transferred to a heavy lift Air National Guard unit that served the Dew line with rattle trap C-97s.

Our town recognizes returning Iraq and Afghan returnees with recognition at a town board meeting - which I occasionally attend. Other events over the year also recognize vets - a recent one, WW2, Korea, 'Nam, both Gulf Wars, Panama, Grenada and Afghanistan were represented. Those that served, in those countries and in those wars - they are my heroes