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VeteransWeek2013ByYMSgtMajAlexLoriaColWesleyFoxVAOnVeteransweekend2013IhadtheopportunitytoleadtheagprocessionandcarrytheAmericanagforaveteransceremonyinArlingtonNationalCemetery.PresidentObamawastherealongwithothergovernmentofcialsofcersMed-alofHonorrecipientsandotherswhogavespeech-eshonoringveterans.AnHonorFlightsVeteranwasrecognizedwhoismorethan100yearsoldAnotherYoungMarineLCplVillatorocarriedtheMedalofHonorSocietysagwithmeasweleadtheotherveteransorganizationsthroughthecrowdtothefrontoftheam-phitheater.WhiletheylinedupalongtheamphitheaterwallswewentonstagetoposttheColorsandsitfortheceremony.Wewereabout15feetfromthePresi-dent.IwasclosesttoMrs.ObamaandshesmiledatmeasIsatforthepresen-tation.AftertheceremonywewereinvitedtothereceptionwiththeMedalofHonorSociety.WewereabletomeetseveralMedalofHonorrecipientsincludingthePresidentoftheSocietyMr.HaroldFritz.Followinglunchweattendedacer-emonyatGeneralJohnJ.PershingsgravesiteandLCplVillatoroandIwereaskedtostandandholdtheags.Astheafternoonwentonthewindcontinuedtopickup.TheeventwasadedicationtoGeneralPershingslifeandcareerandtherewererep-resentativesfrommostofthealliedcountriespresentwhoparticipatedinawreathlayingceremony.Itwasagreatprivilegetohon-orthemenandwomenwhohaveservedus.ServingatVeteransDayHonorsatArlingtonChicagosOwnHonorsSomeHiddenVeteransByYMCplChristopherRepaChicagosOwnILDuringVeteransAppreciationWeekthisyearmyunitarrangedavisittoalocalretirementcenterwherefortyeightVet-eranslive.WedecidedtohaveapartytohelpthemcelebrateVeteransDay.AstheVeteransenteredintothehalltheysawourColorGuardandallofusinuniformtheysmiledandwaved.OurceremonystartedwiththeColorGuardtheNationalAnthemandthePledgeofAllegiance.OurUnitCommanderspokeafewwordsthank-ingtheVeteransfortheirserviceanddescribedtheYoungMarinesprogram.EachveteranwaspresentedacerticateofappreciationandanAmericanaglapelpin.Tearscamefromtheireyesastheythankedus.Wethenenjoyedlisten-ingtotheirstoriesoverrefreshments.FollowingtheFootstepsandCareerofaGreatWarriorByCPLHaydenLippincottEastValleyAZSMSgtCharlesE.BusterDonnelUSAFRet1921-2013mygreat-grandfatherwasborninLewistonMaineonMarch171921.Hewasbestknownforbeinganoriginalmem-berofthefamousMer-rillsMarauderswhofoughtbehindenemylinesinBurmaduringWorldWarII.BusterDonnelwaswoundedincombatandwastaggedtobesentawayfromthefrontformedicaltreatment.Hetorehistagoffandwentbacktothefront.HisserviceinboththeU.S.ArmyAirForceandlatertheU.S.AirForcewasfrom1937to1964.AfterretiringfromtheU.S.AirForceBusterworkedatBathIronworksinBathMainebuildingshipsfortheU.S.Navyforanothertwen-ty-plusyearsthentakingpart-timeworkatBrunswickNavalAirStationinBruns-wickMaine.Inthelate80shenallyfullyretiredtotheBobHopeEnlistedRe-tirementVillagelocatedoutsideEglinAirForceBasenearShalimarFlorida.SMSgtDonnelwaslovedbyeveryonehecameincontactwith.Heservedasanadvisormentorstory-tellerandadoptedgrandfathertomanyactivedutymilitaryandveteransalikeintheShalimararea.Heenjoyedhavingouryoungwarriorsaroundhimtellingstoriesandtheirseekinghisadvice.HissecondfamilywasourmilitaryandhehadaspecialplaceinhisheartfortheU.S.ArmyRangersandthoseinU.S.AirForceSpecialOperations.In2010Busterwasawardednumerousmedalsandawardsspanninghisservicefrom1937through1964includingtheDistinguishedServiceMedaltwoBronzeStarsaPurpleHearttheCombatInfan-trymansBadgeandmultipleCampaignandBattleribbonsforhisserviceduringWorldWarIIandtheKoreanWar.Atruepatriotmygreat-grandfatherwillbemissedbymanyashepassedawaylastAugust.ActivedutyandWorldWarIIVeteransinvitedmetohonortheSeniorMasterSergeantathisintermentservice.IwasinvitedasanhonoraryparticipantinthecolorguardceremonywithactivedutyArmyRangersandU.S.AirForceSpecialOperationspersonnel.FarewellBusterSemperFiOORAHAfewofmygreatgrandfathersmedals.Page22ESPRIT