1. American Spirit<br />By Force Master Chief (Air Warfare, Surface Warfare, Naval Aircrewman)<br />Jon D. Port<br />Word Count: 706<br />Waking on a pristine day without a cloud in the sky, it was a bit cold for that time of year but there was plenty of sunshine. I had a feeling it was going to be a nice day.<br />I had been invited to speak at a tribute to Korean War veterans outside the courthouse steps in Hernando, Mississippi. Hernando is like many other small towns in America. It has a general store, post office, fire house, and of course the courthouse. It also has an abundance of patriotic Americans and boasts 173 Korean War veterans, a lot for a town of 10,000 people.<br />Arriving at the courthouse at precisely 0845, I witnessed the local motorcycle club planting flags around the courthouse and the Navy Band setting up their instruments while a local swing music band playing in the background. I met my hosts and over the next half hour or so watched the parade of veterans stream in to take their seats in the audience. I couldn’t help but notice a few of them were World War II veterans. I had to meet them to thank them for their service, and to thank their spouses and escorts as well for their support to these true American heroes.<br />As I sat on stage waiting to be introduced, directly in front of me I saw a Navy veteran in his Petty Officer First Class uniform, obviously from World War II. This veteran struggled to stand to render a salute each time it was appropriate during the ceremony. Each time he did so he was supported by an active duty Marine Corps Master Sergeant who was responsible for the ceremony’s color guard, escort and honor guard.<br />You really had to be there to see this. That hardcore United States Marine had a tear in his eye every time he put this Petty Officer’s arm around his own shoulder to support him. That Petty Officer was bound and determined to stand and render a proper salute to honor our nation’s colors and our national anthem. I was reminded how we were all there to pay homage to that veteran and many others just like him, yet he was struggling to make sure he could pay his respect to our nation as we all do when in and out of uniform.<br />It was a remarkable team effort with this old, frail veteran and this young, strong Marine. The sight of it inspired me to think of their service; sacrifices, battles, victories and heart-breaking losses. No thanks we give them is ever truly enough, but our respect and heartfelt gratitude is what they absolutely earned.<br />I had a speech written to recognize the Korean War veterans, and had researched material in detail to cover it appropriately, but when I rose to speak my words suddenly shifted. I started instead by saying how much I considered it an honor to be among the veterans and how much I enjoyed it because I saw myself, and those who currently serve, in those veterans. I told them they left a legacy behind and I was certain when they signed up, the last thing on their mind was a legacy or that they were in fact making a mark on history. But they did leave a legacy; a legacy of service to their smalls town, service to their nation, and especially service to each other.<br />Those veterans fully realized as we do today that we all swear an oath to serve our nation, even at the price of our lives if necessary, to protect it and her people. We all serve to take the fight to the enemy so we do not have to fight them on our own shores. That spirit of service to others and service to our nation is not dead. It’s alive and well because of them.<br />It was an inspiring morning which is hard to put into words, but I hope this small description of these great Americans reminds everyone to know the American Spirit is alive and well in all of us, if we only take the time to see it.<br />Master Chief Port is the Force Master Chief at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, TN and Plankowner CMC of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77). Serving now for 25 years, he has a daughter married to a Sailor; a one son, a former AT2; and two sons who are Seabees. <br />