Honoring our Military Heroes, Day In and Day Out

Americans are ready and willing to honor our country’s military heroes – including active, veterans, wounded and deceased – during national holidays that celebrate the brave men and women who sacrifice to ensure our daily freedoms. And many Americans honor and support our soldiers all year long through their volunteer commitments and donations to military charities and fundraising events. While national celebrations are vital to create a collective chorus of respect and admiration for their many sacrifices, we shouldn’t forget the power of honoring our military heroes with smaller gestures and individual acknowledgements.

Such was my pleasure to honor a small group of military heroes recently at two deer hunts at our family ranch in Irion County, Texas, in conjunction with the Military Warriors Support Foundation.The two hunts, one a father/son event and one for adults, have once again shown me that while these men find fun, sport and camaraderie – not to mention incredible food – at a deer hunt designed especially for them, I’m the one who comes away having gained so much. I’ve been lucky to have hosted almost 20 of these hunting events, and it never gets old. The reverence and respect I have for these men, their sons, their families and the lives they left in order to fulfill their duties truly humbles me, and it’s my sheer honor to celebrate their service.

The hunts were co-sponsored by1st Community Federal Credit Union whose president Bill Nikolauk understands well the importance of giving back. For the father/son hunt in early October, everyone arrived at the ranch right after lunch on Friday and stayed through Sunday, with three hunts during the weekend. When they weren’t hunting or enjoying the delicious meals prepared by our resident ranch chef, Mike Holdridge, they were playing pool, hitting golf balls on our par 3 hole, pitching washers or watching football. Each of the boys got a management/cull buck, and each of the dads got a doe with all of the meat harvested for them to take home to their families. Join me in honoring these heroes and their sons:

• Chris Duke and his son, Colton Duke

Chris served in the Army and received an Honorable Discharge; he served at Fort Hood, Iraq, Newnan, GA and Afghanistan and received numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the NATO Achievement Medal

• Steven Klimtzakand his son, Ryley Klimtzak

Steven is retired from the Marine Corps and served in Iraq; he was awarded the Purple Heart

• Justin Hardy and his son, Tucker Peterson

Justin is retired from the Army and served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Fort Knox and Fort Hood; he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal

• Derrick Escobar and his son, Ethan Escobar

Derrick is retired from the Marine Corps and served in Camp Pendleton, the 4^th Reconnaissance Battalion San Antonio Texas, and the Texas Army National Guard; he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Medal, the Iraqi Medal, the National Defense Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Sea Service Ribbon

• Doug Shreve and his son, Doug, Jr.

Doug is retired from the Army and served in Korea, Fort Drum, Fort Hood, Fort Story, Fort Sill and Saudi Arabia; he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal

A week after the father/son hunt we hosted a second hunt for four incredible military heroes who harvested 12 cull bucks over the weekend.All of the meat was processed and divided among the attending heroes and other hero families in the area – all supported by the Military Warriors Support Foundation.Join me in honoring these brave and courageous men:

• Raymond Coles

Raymond is retired from the Army and served in Foot Hood, Fort Riley, Korea, Kuwait, Cuba and Iraq; he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Ribbons with 3 Stars and the Combat Action Badge

• Rodney Ford

Rodney is retired from the Army and served in Foot Hood and Camp Casey Korea; he was awarded the Combat Action Badge, the Purple Heart and the Army Achievement Medal

• Colby Melton

Colby is retired from the Army and served in Fort Benning, Fort Hood, Baumholder, Germany, Bosnia and Iraq; he was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with 3 Stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, among other awards

• Rick Thompson

Rick is medically discharged from the Army and served in Camp Hovey Korea, Kuwait desert, and Sadr City Iraq; he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat and Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Air Assault Badge

 

Tremendous thanks to the Carrillo, Torres and Lara families (Jr., Sylvia, Trey, Viviana, Josie, Jacob, Ezra, Manual, Sheilah, Levi and Gilbert).  All of this would not have been possible without their hard work and efforts.

Whether a national parade, a discounted meal offered to a veteran, a salute on the sidewalk, or an intimate deer hunt, it’s an honor for Americans to honor military heroes, day in and day out.