Dem
47
GOP
53
Today's post is on the long side, so we've got a reminiscence today that is on the briefer side, courtesy of R.H. in San Antonio, TX:
Mom's brother, Charles A. Hagan, grew up as the penultimate child and only boy in a family of which eight kids survived infancy.
His lottery number was such that it was certain that he would be drafted, so he "volunteered" to fly helicopters in Vietnam, where he was Aircraft Commander of the Command and Control Helicopter for the 3rd Brigade Commander before flying with the 101st Airborne.
Sometime after he returned, I asked him what he did to earn his Distinguished Flying Cross. His answer? "Something stupid." I never asked again, and I still don't know exactly which of his escapades earned the DFC, but he did land his warbird (not a medevac chopper) under fire to evacuate wounded, so perhaps that's what got the medal?
He took advantage of the GI Bill to get his college degree and then his Juris Doctorate; he married a law school classmate and they practiced in a small county near where we grew up in Coal Country.
He passed away in 2023. QEPD, Uncle Tony.
Thanks, R.H.!
If anyone wants to share their story, or that of a family member, acquaintance, etc., please send them to comments@electoral-vote.com, preferably with subject line "Never Forget." (Z)