Happy Independence Day to all my family and friends.  In the words of Churchill, “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few...”

 As I understand it, 43 years ago today, during the Battle of Lamar Plain, in Vietnam, my brother was awakened by a clamor of his platoon leader having been incapacitated by an army of red fire ants swarming over his face. With his eyes swollen shut from the biting, he was in no condition to fly that morning. Warrant Officer, Tim Michael volunteered to take his platoon leaders flying slot - Tim told him to go to the flight surgeon for treatment. That was the last time he saw Tim - he was shot down and perished from the earth.. he was 21 years old and left behind a wife and 1 year old son.