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My father was an only child of a small time dirt poor farmer. He joined the Marines the day he graduated High School and got one other classmate to join him in his adventure. He fought in the Korean War, or conflict, depending on what you were doing during that time. He was a Machine Gunner and buried plenty of those North Koreans and sent them to hell. He also lost a few great friends along the way.

Once a Man becomes a Marine, he always remains a Marine for life. No matter the challenge, they have a can do attitude that few people learn like the Marine's do.He met many good men in the Marines, some went on to become famous professional football players, Most were successful at whatever choices they made in life. My father went on to become a highly successful salesman. He was then promoted to Sales Manager of the Southeastern United States and all of South America.

I on the other hand never was in the U.S. Military, but I spent 25+ years of my life as a DOD, Department of Defense contractor as a Field Service Engineer in Flight Simulation, supporting the training of many a Pilot's skills, that makes the American Forces Aviation Command Group the rulers of the skies where they do battle, or just save lives during times of Natural Catastrophe's. I must say that, even though I wasn't in the military, I still made the sacrifices of living around a Military base out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do. Even though I had my wife and family for entertainment, I didn't have the support or the comoraderie that the Military men and women shared in some of the bases best known as Camp Swampy, Hells Half Acre, and some that I just cannot mention here.

I did get to travel the world and go places to support our Great American Denfendors of everyones Freedoms, even those who really didn't deserve many of these Brave Soldiers Gratitude.

I learned more and more over the years that the great American Military Men and Women of our Great Country deserve much more respect than most of us honor upon them for their sacrifices, such as giving their lives so we can better enjoy our lives and loves.

Please be sure to be Thankful on this Memorial Day Celebration. Some Give ALL just so we can live it all, with many freedoms many others never see. Be sure to thank all our GREAT men and women in the Military and honor those who made the greatest sacrifice of all.

Jack Edwards, the name of a GREAT MARINE, who gave his life, so my father and many other Marines could survive, by covering a grenade thrown in their foxhole. My father gave me this mans name as my first and middle name to forever remember and honor such a true American Hero. I treasure his memory every day when someone calls my name.