You are not alone-out front Soldiers honor those who served before

By 7th Sustainment Brigade Public AffairsNovember 15, 2010

You are not alone-out front Soldiers honor those who served before
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Nov. 11, 2010) - "No veteran should be alone on Veteran's Day," said Capt. James Mullin, company commander of the 119th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 11th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade. Mullin and his group of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
You are not alone-out front Soldiers honor those who served before
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Nov. 11, 2010) - "No veteran should be alone on Veteran's Day," said Capt. James Mullin, company commander of the 119th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 11th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade. Mullin and his group of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Nov. 11, 2010) - "No veteran should be alone on Veteran's Day," said Capt. James Mullin, company commander of the 119th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 11th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade. Mullin and his group of 27 Soldiers spent Nov. 10 visiting a number of local senior care facilities thanking the men and women, and their family members, who served before them.

"Our goal is to ensure that our fellow veterans know that they are not forgotten," said Mullin, 36, and a native of New York state. We are at a point in our nation's history where very young men and women may relate to senior veterans of conflicts past due to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"It is a wonderful surprise to see our troops, I am so proud of them," said Ralph Howard, a 96-year old World War II Army veteran from Portsmouth who served as an infantryman. They go through a lot and we don't thank them enough." Howard was injured in the invasion of Normandy. He was sent to Italy for treatment but found himself back in France fighting within two months. Again, Howard was injured but instead of returning to battle he was sent home to the states.

It was during the last stop of the day that Spc. Genesis Jimenez, 20, a cargo specialist hailing from Los Angeles experienced something incredible.

"I felt a sense of pride visiting the different care facilities," she said. I felt proud as a Soldier, pride in the Army overall. Listening to the veterans talk about their service to their country and in particular one Soldier's personal account of what he experienced during World War II is what really moved me."

The nation has been at war for seven years and because of this it is not uncommon to find Soldiers today who have multiple deployments under their belt.

"This was not always the case," said Mullin. Prior to the prevalent events of this past decade it was always polite, or the right thing to do to thank a veteran and this still holds true. However, now we know why, and understand the relevance of acknowledging our fellow veterans."

The familiar ground shared by these brothers and sisters in arms remains steadfast and will not go unnoticed.

"In short, many of us have a very real, very sincere common bond with the men and women who served during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars," said Mullin. This is a bond not fully realized unless one has served in a time of conflict. This is our day to share with these men and women. We are proud of them as much as they are proud of us. It is only appropriate that we spend some time together."

-30-

Photos by Sgt. Edwin Rodriguez and story by Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Jo Bridgwater, 7th Sustainment Brigade public affairs. For queries, contact 7th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs at: 757-878-5112 ext. 268. For high-resolution photos and stories by the 7th Sustainment Brigade, please contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6612 or access them online at http://www.dvidshub.net/units/7SB.

Related Links:

3rd ESC Public Website