This is a salute to all fellow veterans who have answered the call to duty from the beginning that ended the age of Kings to the present struggles in the phantom war with the extremists. I put my flag out today particularly to honor my father-in-law who landed on Utah Beach 65 years ago as an infantryman and marched forward until he crossed into Germany finally crushing the fascists bringing an end to the war in Europe. Five years ago he went to Normandy and stood on that beach that 60 years earlier he arrived with his back to the ocean. He told me at that time that it brought some closure for him in a way he couldn't explain. But the thing I'll always remember is what he said one night when we were out to dinner. He was amazed at all the attention he was given on his return visit, but he said to me, "we weren't heroes, we were just some young kids trying to stay alive". John had received numerous medals that he cares less about and were lost during hurricane Hugo in SouthCarolina. He really doesn't care, nor does he have any regards for the Purple Hearts he received. What he really cares about are those young kids that were left behind on his epic journey in that war and the disturbing dreams that has haunted him 60 years since. To me however he is a hero, as is anyone who has worn a uniform ready to give the ultimate sacrifice including my father who fought the war in the pacific on his LST pursuing the Japanese from island to island until he waited for the word to invade Japan until the bombs were dropped. It's also for his father, my brother and all of my friends and relatives who never had a chance to grow gray and bounce a son, daughter or grandchild on their knee. I thank fellow all veterans on this incredible day for all they have given.