The individuals below volunteered to share inspirational messages about the veterans they are honoring. Feel free to peruse their stories and to encourage others to honor them on Election Day. Click here to share your own tribute.
I am a Desert Storm Veteran and retired from the KY Army National Guard in January 2004. I am voting in honor of 2 veterans who have touched my life.
The first one is my father, Kenneth J. Gavin Sr., whom is now deceased. He served in the U.S. Army during W.W. II. He landed on Omah Beach on D-Day, was in the Battle of the Ardens, Battle of the Bulge, and many other campaigns during that time. My father is who inspired me to join the military in 1979. It was not until then that I understood what it meant to serve your country and put the needs of others, and our nation, before my own. My father had a difficult time while I was deployed in 1991 for Operation desert Storm. He had vivid memories of his battles in W.W. II and knew what kind of hell every soldier went through at that time, and feared that I would go through the same thing. I was fortunate that my unit did not face those kind of horrors during our time deployed.
The second veteran is my youngest of my 2 sons, SPC Matthew Gavin. He returned January 30, 2007 from a 13 month deployment in Afghanistan and is currently a member of the Kentucky Army National Guard. His call to serve was based on my experiences and military service, as well as my father's. He decided that it was his turn to give back as his father and grandfather did before him, and enlisted in July 2003. The pride I felt the day he was swore in cannot be expressed in words.
I am proud of the service my father and my son gave to their country and it is with great pride that I vote in their honor.
- Thomas Gavin
Louisville, KY
Matthew has been in the Army only a short period of time (a little over a year) but the service has made a huge difference in his life. He is currently serving in Iraq. Matthew is dedicated to serving his country. Hats off to Matthew for a job well done!
- Susan Hammond
Lawrenceburg, KY
My Dad was from a large family. He had to quit school earily
in order to support his family. When WWII broke out, Dad served in the US Army Infantry in the Pacific.
From what Mom tells us, Dad was one of a few of his outfit to survive and return home. (Dad doesn't talk about the war very much at all)
After the war, Dad married. He and Mom had 3 sons. I am the oldest. I served in the Army Engineers in Vietnam in '67. My middle brother also served in the Army Infantry in Vietnam in '69. Our youngest brother served in the Air Force for a while.
We all remember our Dad working hard in construction work as
we were kids. He would always leave early to go to work. On election day, he would leave even earlier in order to vote. He would always tell us boys "You can't complain about the Government unless you vote."
Later in my life after military service I married and began working. I would always leave early for work, especially on election day. But, no matter how hard I tried to get to the polls early, the officials would always tell me "You are the second person to vote today. Your dad was here about ten minutes ago."
I thank my Dad for being the father he is. I am thankful he survived the war and supported his country and family. I especially am thankfull for the lessons of life he has taught us boys. I love you Dad!
- Andy Bryant
Danvile, KY
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Wilson joined the military in 2002 and has served one tour of duty in Iraq with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24, in the headquarters company at Al Asad Air Base. Steve received many meritorious ribbons during his deployment for his excellent work and service and also earned his Seabee Combat Warfare Qualification. He is currently attached with Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 9 in Columbus, Ohio, where he will handle customs and cargo duties when in training and during deployment.
- Sarah Wilson
Midway, KY
My Dad, Joseph Benedict Mackin, then of Nelson Co., Ky., served toward the end of World War II on an LST in the Pacific for the US Navy, but thankfully did not see combat. He then enlisted in the US Army in 1948 and eventually would have a tour of duty in Korea during the conflict there in the early 1950s, first as Corporal Mackin and later as a Sergeant.
My uncle (and his brother) told me about the psychological trauma (now known as PTSD) he suffered from when he returned. My uncle and grandmother sometimes would have to roll him into a mattress just to keep him from hurting himself and others during these episodes. He never spoke about the horrors he experienced, but I once found a letter he wrote to my great-aunt the night before he was going to go into a battle and he clearly did not know if he would live or die. I can't imagine my own son having to experience that kind of terror.
While my Dad has gone from this world, I will never forget the sacrifice he made for the freedom of my family, my home, and my country. As the Korean War monument in Washington reads: "Freedom is not Free."
Thank you for providing Kentuckians with this opportunity to honor our veterans and for giving us a chance to remember why it is so important that we vote in every election we can.
Let us never forget!
-Rita Mackin Fox
Paint Lick, KY
While I served in Iraq this past year I lost four great friends. I honor their sacrifice with this tribute. Three of the four had sons and daughters. We cant ever forget what the price they paid.
1) SFC Jason Jones
2) COL Tom Felts
3) LTC Paul Finken
4) LTC Eric Krueger
See you guys on the high ground when the Lord Calls. Miss you all.
Terry.
-Terry Orange
Shelby County, KY