My uncle who was with the original Raiders from the beginning past away yesterday. He will be greatly missed by all of us as he represented everything that is great to be an "American". I firmly believe he survived because of a praying mother and his own faith in God. He often would recount how he would pray before every battle that the Lord would help him to be a good soldier what ever the outcome for him and to help his parents and siblings have a better tomorrow. He is 96 and my mother(his sister) will be 100 on valentines day. Fortunately he got his memoirs printed in His book Bloody Ridge and Beyond, by Marlin Groft so future generations can hopefully realize what a good nation we have and is worth fighting for so the future has a free nation. My son wanted to join the Navy and be on the first responders that bring the wounded back out of the battle. He was denied because of a heart condition they found he has. He was really dejected at first but He survived. He has a medical bent in his makeup. He told me that He could have no higher calling than to help the injured be brought back to safety. Really made me feel proud because he has the same tough guy behind his smile as his great uncle did. God bless the veterans!