To All Veterans

[Larry Fernandez]

This is a very special day for this great country.
 I would like to extend my thanks to those who have served my country, and more so, to those who have fallen for the ultimate sacrifice. This post is dedicated to my son Aaron who served in Iraq and thankfully has returned home safe.
 
Aaron your are my hero.

When Aaron was in the third grade, he asked me why this country was so great, why we had the freedoms and liberties that most other countries did not have. A very profound question for a ten year old.
I spent a considerable amount of time explaining to him, that the freedoms we have, did not come by way of chance. These freedoms were paid for by the blood and the precious lives of men and women who fought and died for us to have these freedoms.

Aaron took these words to heart and felt the patriotic need to serve and defend our freedoms.
My words cannot convey how proud I am of him and all of those who have served.

I served four years in the Navy from 1976 to 1980. I did not see combat action and my life was never in danger. So I have no idea what our soldiers on the front line have experienced.

What I do know,  is that my heart is full of sorrow and pride  for those families who did not get the chance to see their hero's come home alive.

Embrace this Holliday and thank each and every veteran  you meet.
For they are the reason you go to bed each night safe and sound and the reason you enjoy your freedoms.

God bless this great country and our dedicated troops.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team 

[Paul Smith]

This is the recent former president of our club. The Royal Oak Cloudbusters, Davis Gloff, MC'ing and singing at the Memorial Day concert at White Chapel.  The annual event use thesame format as the larger version in DC.

You will probably remember Davis from his hit motion picture Grand Torino which also featured Clint Eastwood.

[john e. holliday]

Well stated Larry and I thank you.   My son tried to join when the was started in Iraq/Iran years ago.   Was turned down and watched as friends of his were taken.   Thankfully they all returned safe, but not the same boys that served.   They were now men.

[Sean McEntee]

Well-said Larry!

I cannot thank enough the servicemembers who came before me.  We have it easier these days; better pay, short rotations when we do go to war, more thourough training, and more advanced medical care to heal both the physical and mental wounds and to have support from (most of) the country.  Its for these reasons that both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have suffered few casualties relative to its endurance.

I will always be thankful for those who left for war and expected to do so much with so little (equipment, preperation, training, ect); who went to war not knowing when they would be coming home; and those who did come home who came home to a less-than warm welcome.

Thay will all have my eternal thanks.

Sean P McEntee
SSG        USA

[Larry Fernandez]

Sean, are you still in Sierra Vista?

Aaron settled there when he left the Army. He flew control line when he was a kid and won beginner at the Golden State Meet when he was thirteen.
Look him up and drag his ass off to go fly.

Thank you for your service and enjoy YOUR Holiday

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

[Will Hinton]

Thanks for this posting, Larry, you said it well.  One thing that sticks in my heart from my Navy tour is the fact that, for the most part, our great country is defended by VERY young men!  Youngsters with hearts as big as Texas and who give even the utmost if needed.  I was a teenager when I joined and the pilots I served with were only three or four years older than me!  We owe so much to our people who serve and who have given that sacrifice.

[pat king]

We all owe our freedoms and a huge THANKS to all who have served and all who serve now. We are so lucky in this country to have people who understand that freedom isn't free.
Thanks to all who served or serve now!

Pat

[Gene O'Keefe]

Thank you Larry, and Aaron deserves to be called your hero (mine too)

 Geno
 USMC Viet Nam '68-'69

[Larry Fernandez]

Thank you Larry, and Aaron deserves to be called your hero (mine too)

 Geno
 USMC Viet Nam '68-'69

Thanks Gene,

Every time I talk with Aaron I tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him. I tell him that he is my hero, and he always says
"Thanks dad, your gonna make me cry". He did what he thought was right and did not expect any fanfare or special treatment when he came home.
 He just felt that our country needed his service, and it was his duty to serve, as did thousands of brave soldiers who heard the calling for their patriotic duty.
Thank you Vets, past and present.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

[Sean McEntee]

Sean, are you still in Sierra Vista?

Aaron settled there when he left the Army. He flew control line when he was a kid and won beginner at the Golden State Meet when he was thirteen.
Look him up and drag his ass off to go fly.

Thank you for your service and enjoy YOUR Holiday

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Thanks Larry.  I was only at Huachuca for a bit for school.  I'm at Ft Hood these days. Hopefully Warrant Officer bars are in my near future, and I will headed back there for WOBC.  Ill give you a ring then 

[chuck merkel]

Thank you for starting this thread Larry.

Chuck Merkel
Captain, US Navy (retired)
active duty from 1980 to 2012