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In 1984 when Pres. Ronald Reagan came to speak at that year’s graduation ceremony; they had arranged for their gallant janitor to finally stand face-to-face with the President of the United States and receive his due commendation. William Crawford died at the age of 81 in the year 2000 at his home in Colorado. And although Crawford was a veteran of the Army, he would become the only non-U.S. Air Force enlisted person buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

A great story; a remarkable man and a heroic soldier.

1 posted on 09/29/2016 12:54:03 PM PDT by PROCON
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To: PROCON

Crazy, I just printed this story out a few hours ago and sent it to my son who is in USAF BMT. I’d never heard of it before today. Now, here it is on freerepublic.


31 posted on 09/29/2016 2:20:08 PM PDT by PilotDave (No, really, you just can't make this stuff up!!!)
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To: PROCON

And we are stuck with Colin Kaeperneck.

My father-in-law was in the 75th JASCO, USA, on Iwo. Started out getting bombed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Not quite the type of Pacific tour he wanted.


33 posted on 09/29/2016 2:27:46 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: PROCON

Corporal Archie Miller of Portsmouth, Ohio was finally ordered home when he received his 5th Purple Heart in 1945.
While in battle, under enemy fire, and fighting aggressively unlike John Kerry,
Miller was wounded 2 times by sniper fire, 2 times by mortar fire, and was last wounded by a Japanese hand grenade.
His wife said he was too tough to die.
(08/03/45)


36 posted on 09/29/2016 2:51:36 PM PDT by Sasparilla (Hillary for Prison 2016)
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To: PROCON
Apparently there's about 3,400 recipients, with about 70 currently alive
38 posted on 09/29/2016 2:53:25 PM PDT by The Truth Will Make You Free
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To: PROCON

WOW, that’s some heartwarming story. I’m so glad he got his recognition and much-deserved honor. RIP Mr. Crawford....;(


40 posted on 09/29/2016 2:55:17 PM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: PROCON
Great story!

Thanks!!

43 posted on 09/29/2016 2:59:28 PM PDT by Osage Orange (PNA....my butt)
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To: PROCON

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=39979

President Reagan’s address to the USAFA Class of 1984 on 5/30/84, including the presentation to Mr.Crawford.

Reagan made the presentation at the end of his formal remarks.


44 posted on 09/29/2016 3:09:33 PM PDT by exit82 (Road Runner sez:" Let's Make America Beeping Great Again! Beep! Beep!")
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To: PROCON

there are certain things that use to be understood:

1. if you don’t protect and enforce your borders, you don’t have a country.

2. if you don’t enforce your laws, you won’t have a nation.

3. if you don’t honor and respect those that fought for their country and nation...

then your country will have no honor and deserves no respect.


46 posted on 09/29/2016 3:18:40 PM PDT by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: PROCON

What a magnificent story. I believe he likely stood for our national anthem every chance he got.


49 posted on 09/29/2016 3:45:42 PM PDT by Uncle Sam 911
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To: PROCON

Great thread. Thanks for posting it.

Saved to check for ancestral linkage.


52 posted on 09/29/2016 4:40:03 PM PDT by octex
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To: PROCON
Thanks for posting.

I reads this on the ride home and it brought tears to my eyes.

I was about to post this, but then I thought I would do something rarely done: use the search feature.

54 posted on 09/29/2016 5:46:21 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (She calls me Mr. Deplorable.)
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To: PROCON; markomalley; DYngbld; TADSLOS; xsrdx; big'ol_freeper; Mark17; mikefive; JDoutrider; ...

Ping


56 posted on 09/29/2016 7:14:20 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: PROCON

What a great story. Thanks for posting it.


57 posted on 09/29/2016 7:45:56 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: PROCON
When Cadets At A US Airforce Academy Realized Their Janitor Was Medal Of Honor War Hero

What's up with that headline?

How many Air Force Academies do we have?

58 posted on 09/29/2016 8:14:27 PM PDT by publius911 (IMPEACH HIM NOW evil, stupid, insane ignorant or just clueless, doesn't matter!)
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To: PROCON

bump


61 posted on 09/29/2016 8:36:50 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (We will be one People, under one God, saluting one American flag. --Donald Trump (standing ovation)
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To: PROCON; Gamecock
In 1984 when Pres. Ronald Reagan came to speak at that year’s graduation ceremony; they had arranged for their gallant janitor to finally stand face-to-face with the President of the United States and receive his due commendation.

One of those 1984 USAF Academy graduates 🎓 used to work for me, as an air traffic controller, when he was an E-3, before getting an appointment to the USAF Academy. I saw him again when he was a 1st Lt, at Travis AFB.
He said it was a thrill to meet Ronald Reagan, but never told me this story. I wish he had.

62 posted on 09/29/2016 10:14:01 PM PDT by Mark17 (Calvary's love has never faltered. All it's wonder still remains. Souls still take eternal passage.)
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To: PROCON

Bookmark


63 posted on 09/30/2016 10:37:49 AM PDT by JDoutrider
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To: PROCON

...it would take a student’s study of the Allied campaign...

There still are some kids out there who take US History seriously. I was such a lad, and I am happy to see that my son is as well.


64 posted on 09/30/2016 3:26:27 PM PDT by Paisan
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To: PROCON

What a beautiful story!! Thank you for posting it.


65 posted on 10/02/2016 7:15:11 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (We will be one People, under one God, saluting one American flag. --Donald Trump (standing ovation)
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To: PROCON

I learned about that while at the academy. Actually, a lot of the humble employees there are military heros. They were great role models for the cadets. Class acts.


66 posted on 11/06/2016 4:32:44 AM PST by Revolutionary ("Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!")
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