Grateful nation salutes

As an advanced-age military retiree, I find myself quite often reading the obits. Oftentimes it includes some I knew personally or some I feel a kinship with.

Recently, two super-patriots passed on. My military service is insignificant in comparison to theirs. One officer, Colonel C, who served with the greatest generation of World War II through Vietnam, dedicated his entire life to his country and lived by the admonition, “To protect my country I would go to war as long as I live.”

Colonel H was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for which so little could be said about the award at that time, and it prompted me to write this. I was part of the group that Colonel H was assigned to, and I recall one extremely cold day about 5 a.m. at Wiesbaden when the entire group, about 1,000 personnel, was called to a large hangar on the base. When we were called to attention, in walked the four-star Air Force chief of staff, who made a very short speech.

“I am here to award you the Distinguished Unit Citation for which the world cannot know why, but I know, and your president knows, and that’s all that matters …” We were dismissed. Back then, Google did not exist, but now Google knows almost all (some still cannot be told), but for anyone wanting to know, simply google “Silent Warrior” or the 7499th Support Group.

I am grateful for the service of all our military, and thankful that the Air Force gave me the opportunity to serve. For these two super-patriots, I am awed by their commitment and a grateful nation stands at attention and salutes them. DONAL B. WRIGHT

Cabot