2008 November 11 « Cheryl Davis’ Art Blog

Veterans Day 2008 Salute to a Father and Son: Richard and Hugh Vertrees; and To All Our Military Troops

This Veterans Day, I want to say a big “THANK YOU” to all the top-notch men & women who serve or have served and sacrificed for this great Nation. Your military service makes it possible for us to live the very blessed lives that we live. I also send up a special prayer for America as we begin the “Obama Era” in America’s history.

Today, I ask for two “special blessings:” One for my nephew, Richard “Vercules” Vertrees, who honorably served with the 204th Military Police, Bladerunners in Baghdad, Iraq for a one year tour as an MP. Richard was there during the period of time Saddam was captured: an extremely violent time to be there. Another for Richard’s father, my dear brother-in-law Hugh Vertrees, who served honorably in Phi Bui, Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. Both men saw combat during their time in service. They served their country well. I am incredibly proud of both of them, for the many blessings they bring to my life and will forever be grateful to them for their service and great sacrifice. Words are, as always, so insufficient to express my gratitude for all that “they and hundreds of thousands of others” have given.

hugh_vietnam

Hugh Vertrees (Above Photo: Right) was stationed in Phi Bui, Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. His treacherous job was to patrol the jungles, rivers, and deny the enemy access into Phi Bui. This duty was a result of the successful capturing of Phi Bui in 1968. Hugh honorably served his country in Vietnam from January 1971 to December, 1971.

“Welcome Home Soldier! Thank you for your service!”