Thank You, Veterans

It's a shame that our country has just one official day of the year to honor our veterans.  I think every day should be Veterans Day.  I'd like to publically honor my favorite veteran, my Dad.

My Dad Carl, aka Bud, served proudly in the U.S. Navy from 1953 till 1957.  Not only is he a Navy veteran, he's also a Korean War vetaran.  Dad left their Hardin county farm and headed across the country by train for his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego. Other than coming up to Louisville or Bardstown or down to visit relatives in Hart country, this was the first time Dad had been away from home.  Today, he laughs about the contestants on "Survivor" and calls them wusses for whining and crying over being away from their families for only 40 days, while he and thousands, even millions, of our vetarans were gone from their homes for 4 or more years.

After his training in Damage Control, Dad boarded a plane and headed to Kodiak, Alaska where he would be stationed.  An interesting piece of Bud trivia: the plane ride to and from Kodiak was the only time that he has been on a plane.  Dad was thrilled to death when he found out he wouldn't be stationed on a ship out in the ocean, just  miles from Communist waters.  Instead, he was assigned to the base fire department for his tour of duty. 

Dad received an Honorable Discharge in May 1957 with the rank of Third Class Petty Officer, Damage Control.  During his time in the Navy, Dad received the Good Conduct medal and the National Defense Service Medal.    So that also makes him a decorated veteran.  

 I'd also like to publically recognize a few other friends and co-workers that are veterans:
               Paul W.
               John Mc.
              Greg D.
              Jerry P.
              Boots H.
              Steve L.