"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #968, November 29, 2021
Issue #968, November 29, 2021
Preston Westmoreland introduced the keynote speaker.
"Colonel (Ret.) Donald Craig Houk entered active duty in June of 1985 after receiving his commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1984, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. After completing the Military Police Officer Basic Course, Fort McClellan, Alabama in 1985, he served in multiple assignments from Platoon Leader to Brigade Commander and then responsible for 3,000 Soldiers and Civilians. He later attended the Military Police Officer Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Over his 30-year career on active duty and the Army Reserves, performing law enforcement and military corrections duties, he served in multiple locations, to include Fort McClellan, Alabama, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Fort Lewis, Washington, Seoul, Korea, Fort Carson, Colorado, Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Alamitos, California. Colonel Houk additionally served in multiple staff positions, culminating as a certified ILE Instructor for the Non-Resident U.S. Army Command and General Staff College from 2000 to 2010. He retired in June 2014.
His deployments include Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Haitian Refugee Operations, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan as the Security Advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development while supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and mobilized on active duty back to Fort Carson, Colorado as the Battalion Commander of the 759th Military Police Battalion (Provisional), additionally serving as the Provost Marshal and Director of Emergency Services for the installation.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medals, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal. He was awarded the Order of the Marechaussee (Bronze), Military Police Corps Regiment.
Colonel Houk is currently the Senior Manager, Physical Security Systems for Synopsys and resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife, Bren, and serves on the Board of the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP)."
Col. Houk added, "And dancing!"
Col Craig Houk
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
"Mr. Vice Mayor, Distinguished Guests, and Fellow Veterans, thank you very much for asking me to come here today and help celebrate a wonderful day to honor and recognize American service members past and present. As many of you may know, this day of celebration and reflection originated from the signing of an armistice--a temporary cessation of hostilities--on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., when all fighting ceased between the Allied nations and Germany, effectively ending World War I. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, a day, President Wilson said, "... filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, ...."
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. The actual legal federal holiday was approved by Congress in 1938. It wasn't until 1954 following World War II and the Korean War that Congress replaced "Armistice" with "Veterans," amending the original Act to commemorate November 11 -- a day in America when veterans of all wars are honored.
Veterans are recognized as men and women who have or are serving in America's Armed Forces. Today, Veterans Day is a celebration to honor all of America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It is also a day for reflection--for remembering.
Whether you wear the uniform today, or wore it decades ago, you (the veteran) represent a fundamental truth. It's not the powerful weapons that make our military the greatest in the world. It's not the sophisticated tanks, aircraft, missiles, rockets, satellites, and cyber technology (systems) that make us the most advanced. The true strength of our military is the spirit and skill of our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines--and the true strength of all of our Armed Forces is seen in the men and women who have worn and now wear the uniform of our nation's military.
Veterans Day 2021 finds us a nation no longer at war. However, our sons and daughters continue to answer the call to support and defend our nation and our freedoms by serving around the globe in places like Iraq, Korea, Syria and other hotspots requiring attention. There is no mystery behind the endurance and the success of our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. In every generation, from the Revolutionary War to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States. Every one of you deserves the admiration of our entire country.
While scanning for stories and information regarding being in the military and serving your country, I came across this 2010 Veterans Day speech, by then Marine Lieutenant General John F. Kelly who said:
Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths. The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make for you.
Like those who went before them in uniform, we owe them everything. We owe them our safety. We owe them our prosperity. We owe them our freedom. We owe them our lives. Any one of them could have done something more self-serving with their lives as the vast majority of their age group elected to do after high school and college, but no, they chose to serve knowing full well a brutal war was in their future. They did not avoid the basic and cherished responsibility of a citizen—the defense of country—they welcomed it. They are the very best this country produces and have put every one of us ahead of themselves. All are heroes for simply stepping forward, and we as a people owe a debt we can never fully pay.
And another story from a great friend of mine, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dean Hutson, as he reflects on Veterans Day with this message and his 30+ years of service: I did not join the Army of the United States of America to have anyone thank me, recognize my service or to buy me a free lunch on Veteran's Day.....
I joined because it was the right thing for me to do during that part of my life.
I joined because I sought adventure, travel and excitement. A couple of big wars and a couple of smaller ones over 30 years sure as hell gave me all of that - and more.
I joined - and stayed - because it gave me a sense of purpose, of duty, of pride and a tremendous feeling of helping others.
I joined because of the kids and old men I met while traveling through the mountains of Afghanistan.
I joined because of the Police Chief in another village who was fighting the Taliban in those same mountains for $24 a week....a week.
Having done what I've done, I'd do it all over again....for the very same reasons.
My combat deployments to several wars have cost me, in some ways dearly - as they have others - in ways you don't want to know and I don't want to tell you about....but those are some of the sacrifices that come from such a life. It is what it is....and it's OK.
If you are a Veteran - Thanks, if you know one, love one, mourn one...then call, write, hug or think of them on this day.
Take care Brothers and Sisters....enjoy Veteran's Day in peace.. I know I will...Dean
I chose to serve my country while attending college, after being influenced by my Stepfather, a now highly decorated Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Vietnam Veteran, Airborne Ranger, and West Point Graduate. After my commissioning, and as a Military Police Officer, I began a 30-year career that was both challenging and rewarding for my personal and professional life! My leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills were developed and provided many life lessons and accomplishments. I had opportunities to travel, live in remote countries, learn and understand different cultures, and achieve great amounts of responsibility and success.
Reflecting now, after 30-years of service, I am proud, honored, and humbled by serving my Nation. I’ve had the opportunity to tell my story on multiple occasions through the Veteran’s Heritage Project and other events and am proud to share how we made a difference, struggled through many difficult and trying times, and overcame multiple obstacles.
I volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan after two previous deployments were called off. For me, getting my combat patch was a top priority and a “rite of passage” to prove to myself and to my Soldiers that I was a competent and capable leader and professional Soldier. My yearlong deployment in Afghanistan opened my eyes to an unrealistic and chaotic world while experiencing war, suffering, and poverty while being a part of a massive effort to rebuild the country in providing a new and improved infrastructure to support future growth to a ravaged country. It was scary and rewarding at the same time and I’m very proud of the work that our men and women Veterans accomplished while serving there.
Additionally, I’ve had the privilege to command Soldiers at all levels from Platoon Leader to Brigade Commander and that turned out to be one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. I had the honor, while commanding, to build and train effective teams, and send them off to war not knowing if they were ever coming home to their loved ones. And just as important, I’ve had the distinct pleasure and honor to shake everyone’s hands and welcome them home with pride!
Whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you doubt that courage and goodness and selflessness is possible, stop and look to a veteran. They don’t always go around telling stories of their heroism, so it's up to us to ask and to listen, to tell those stories for them, and to live in our own lives the values for which they were prepared to give theirs.
On Veterans Day, we acknowledge, humbly, that we can never serve our veterans in quite the same that they served us. But we can try. We can practice kindness. We can pay it forward. We can volunteer. We can serve. We can respect one another. We can always get each other’s backs.
That is what Veterans Day asks all of us to think about. The person you pass as you walk down the street might not be wearing our nation’s uniform today. But consider for a moment that a year or a decade or a generation ago, he or she might have been one of our fellow citizens who was willing to lay down their life for strangers like us. And we can show how much we love our country by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
So, today, it is our privilege to say "thank you" to all of America's veterans, for your quiet courage and exemplary service--to let you know we are grateful and acknowledge your many sacrifices and accomplishments...
May God bless all who served and still do. And may God bless the United States of America.
Soldier For Life!"
https://vimeo.com/645617254
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Photo by Herbert Hitchon
"Mr. Vice Mayor, Distinguished Guests, and Fellow Veterans, thank you very much for asking me to come here today and help celebrate a wonderful day to honor and recognize American service members past and present. As many of you may know, this day of celebration and reflection originated from the signing of an armistice--a temporary cessation of hostilities--on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., when all fighting ceased between the Allied nations and Germany, effectively ending World War I. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, a day, President Wilson said, "... filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, ...."
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m. The actual legal federal holiday was approved by Congress in 1938. It wasn't until 1954 following World War II and the Korean War that Congress replaced "Armistice" with "Veterans," amending the original Act to commemorate November 11 -- a day in America when veterans of all wars are honored.
Veterans are recognized as men and women who have or are serving in America's Armed Forces. Today, Veterans Day is a celebration to honor all of America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It is also a day for reflection--for remembering.
Whether you wear the uniform today, or wore it decades ago, you (the veteran) represent a fundamental truth. It's not the powerful weapons that make our military the greatest in the world. It's not the sophisticated tanks, aircraft, missiles, rockets, satellites, and cyber technology (systems) that make us the most advanced. The true strength of our military is the spirit and skill of our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines--and the true strength of all of our Armed Forces is seen in the men and women who have worn and now wear the uniform of our nation's military.
Veterans Day 2021 finds us a nation no longer at war. However, our sons and daughters continue to answer the call to support and defend our nation and our freedoms by serving around the globe in places like Iraq, Korea, Syria and other hotspots requiring attention. There is no mystery behind the endurance and the success of our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. In every generation, from the Revolutionary War to this very hour, brave Americans have stepped forward and served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States. Every one of you deserves the admiration of our entire country.
While scanning for stories and information regarding being in the military and serving your country, I came across this 2010 Veterans Day speech, by then Marine Lieutenant General John F. Kelly who said:
Those with less of a sense of service to the nation never understand it when men and women of character step forward to look danger and adversity straight in the eye, refusing to blink, or give ground, even to their own deaths. The protected can’t begin to understand the price paid so they and their families can sleep safe and free at night. No, they are not victims, but are warriors, your warriors, and warriors are never victims, regardless of how and where they fall. Death, or fear of death, has no power over them. Their paths are paved by sacrifice, sacrifices they gladly make for you.
Like those who went before them in uniform, we owe them everything. We owe them our safety. We owe them our prosperity. We owe them our freedom. We owe them our lives. Any one of them could have done something more self-serving with their lives as the vast majority of their age group elected to do after high school and college, but no, they chose to serve knowing full well a brutal war was in their future. They did not avoid the basic and cherished responsibility of a citizen—the defense of country—they welcomed it. They are the very best this country produces and have put every one of us ahead of themselves. All are heroes for simply stepping forward, and we as a people owe a debt we can never fully pay.
And another story from a great friend of mine, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dean Hutson, as he reflects on Veterans Day with this message and his 30+ years of service: I did not join the Army of the United States of America to have anyone thank me, recognize my service or to buy me a free lunch on Veteran's Day.....
I joined because it was the right thing for me to do during that part of my life.
I joined because I sought adventure, travel and excitement. A couple of big wars and a couple of smaller ones over 30 years sure as hell gave me all of that - and more.
I joined - and stayed - because it gave me a sense of purpose, of duty, of pride and a tremendous feeling of helping others.
I joined because of the kids and old men I met while traveling through the mountains of Afghanistan.
I joined because of the Police Chief in another village who was fighting the Taliban in those same mountains for $24 a week....a week.
Having done what I've done, I'd do it all over again....for the very same reasons.
My combat deployments to several wars have cost me, in some ways dearly - as they have others - in ways you don't want to know and I don't want to tell you about....but those are some of the sacrifices that come from such a life. It is what it is....and it's OK.
If you are a Veteran - Thanks, if you know one, love one, mourn one...then call, write, hug or think of them on this day.
Take care Brothers and Sisters....enjoy Veteran's Day in peace.. I know I will...Dean
I chose to serve my country while attending college, after being influenced by my Stepfather, a now highly decorated Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Vietnam Veteran, Airborne Ranger, and West Point Graduate. After my commissioning, and as a Military Police Officer, I began a 30-year career that was both challenging and rewarding for my personal and professional life! My leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills were developed and provided many life lessons and accomplishments. I had opportunities to travel, live in remote countries, learn and understand different cultures, and achieve great amounts of responsibility and success.
Reflecting now, after 30-years of service, I am proud, honored, and humbled by serving my Nation. I’ve had the opportunity to tell my story on multiple occasions through the Veteran’s Heritage Project and other events and am proud to share how we made a difference, struggled through many difficult and trying times, and overcame multiple obstacles.
I volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan after two previous deployments were called off. For me, getting my combat patch was a top priority and a “rite of passage” to prove to myself and to my Soldiers that I was a competent and capable leader and professional Soldier. My yearlong deployment in Afghanistan opened my eyes to an unrealistic and chaotic world while experiencing war, suffering, and poverty while being a part of a massive effort to rebuild the country in providing a new and improved infrastructure to support future growth to a ravaged country. It was scary and rewarding at the same time and I’m very proud of the work that our men and women Veterans accomplished while serving there.
Additionally, I’ve had the privilege to command Soldiers at all levels from Platoon Leader to Brigade Commander and that turned out to be one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. I had the honor, while commanding, to build and train effective teams, and send them off to war not knowing if they were ever coming home to their loved ones. And just as important, I’ve had the distinct pleasure and honor to shake everyone’s hands and welcome them home with pride!
Whenever the world makes you cynical, whenever you doubt that courage and goodness and selflessness is possible, stop and look to a veteran. They don’t always go around telling stories of their heroism, so it's up to us to ask and to listen, to tell those stories for them, and to live in our own lives the values for which they were prepared to give theirs.
On Veterans Day, we acknowledge, humbly, that we can never serve our veterans in quite the same that they served us. But we can try. We can practice kindness. We can pay it forward. We can volunteer. We can serve. We can respect one another. We can always get each other’s backs.
That is what Veterans Day asks all of us to think about. The person you pass as you walk down the street might not be wearing our nation’s uniform today. But consider for a moment that a year or a decade or a generation ago, he or she might have been one of our fellow citizens who was willing to lay down their life for strangers like us. And we can show how much we love our country by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
So, today, it is our privilege to say "thank you" to all of America's veterans, for your quiet courage and exemplary service--to let you know we are grateful and acknowledge your many sacrifices and accomplishments...
May God bless all who served and still do. And may God bless the United States of America.
Soldier For Life!"
https://vimeo.com/645617254
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.