Honoring Those Who Served

This morning in Atlanta has started out cold and drizzly. A definite improvement however, from the weather we experienced yesterday.

As I drove to the office this morning, I was reminded that the veterans who have served our country over the many years have fought in this weather and in much worse. They have experienced the blistering heat and bitter cold. Swamps, deserts and city streets have been crossed by their footsteps – all in the pursuit of freedom.

We are truly blessed to live in a nation that stirs the hearts of the very best people our nation has to offer, to service.

We are also blessed to be able to use this day and everyday to thank our precious veterans. I’ve used this day to make phone calls and send messages in order to show my appreciation and I know you’re doing the same.

How tragic it is that we lost thirteen of the very best our nation has to offer, in last week’s Fort Hood massacre. They were good soldiers, as well as good fathers, sons, mothers and daughters.

We’ve been deprived as a nation to be able to look into their eyes, shake their hands and thank them for their service.

So today, as I remember and thank the veterans that are with us today, I will surely remember the thirteen who we may no longer thank.

Instead, I will lift their families up in prayer and remember our fallen.

Here are the names of those who perished at Fort Hood, as reported by The Associated Press:

Michael Grant Cahill, 65, of Cameron, Texas
Maj. Libardo Eduardo Caraveo, 52, of Woodbridge, Virginia
Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow, 32, of Evans, Georgia.
Capt. John Gaffaney, 56, of San Diego, California
Spc. Frederick Greene, 29, of Mountain City, Tennessee.
Spc. Jason Dean Hunt, 22, of Tipton, Oklahoma.
Sgt. Amy Krueger, 29, of Kiel, Wisconsin
Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah
Spc. Michael Pearson , 21, of Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Capt. Russell Seager, 51, of Racine, Wisconsin
Francheska Velez, 21, of Chicago, Illinois
Juanita Warman, 55, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Army Spc. Kham Xiong, 23, of St. Paul, Minnesota

May their families receive comfort, may God continue to bless the United States and may we continue to remember those who serve.