Although this entry is a little off-topic for a real estate-related website like Source of Title, I hope that my readers will join me in honoring those who have sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy the freedom to pursue our great American Dream
In March of 2003, the 3rd Battalion of the US Army’s elite 75th Ranger Regiment was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their mission was to seize and secure the Haditha Dam on the Euphrates River, making it possible for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division to continue their advance on Baghdad. On 3 April 2003, Sergeant Jeremy Feldbusch of Blairsville, PA was a member of that outfit, serving as a mortarman when he was severely injured by a piece of shrapnel and lost his eyesight during an intense artillery barrage.
In the true fighting spirit of the Army Rangers, Sergeant Feldbusch has not let his injuries stop him from helping others. With the support of a loving family at his side, he has become the first national spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project. Along with his parents, Charlene and Brace, he works to raise awareness of the needs of his fellow wounded warriors. His story is the subject of a documentary entitled “Home Front”.
Sergeant Feldbusch’s decorations and honors include the Purple Heart; the Bronze Star with Valor; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon; the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Parachutist Badge with Combat Distinguishing Device; the One Bronze Star; the Ranger Tab; the Overseas Service Bar; the Forces Parachutist Badge; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and German Jump Wings.
God’s Word, in John 15:13 tells us, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” We are truly blessed to live in a nation which produces people of such great character and courage like Sergeant Feldbusch, who voluntarily sacrifice so much for people they don’t even know. Someone once asked Sergeant Feldbusch how he felt about his military service; he said he had no regrets, remarking that, “if [he] still had one good eye left, [he’] be banging on the Army’s door asking them to let [him] back in.”
Not everyone who has served our country has worn a military uniform, however. Countless others have answered the call to duty right here on the homefront, keeping our boys on the front lines supplied with the food, clothing, tools and equipment they needed to fight the good fight for our beloved America.
Such were the men and women who served with the Manhattan Project. Begun in mid-1942, the Manhattan Project was a top-secret joint military-civilian effort by the United States to develop an atomic weapon capable of bringing the war to a swift close. There were three sites which comprised the Manhattan Engineer District: Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
My grandfather, Hallie Nolen Perry was a journeyman lineman for the Clinton Engineer Works at Oak Ridge, Tennessee and was involved in the construction phase of the three main plants which were built to refine raw uranium ore into the fissionable material neccessary to produce the Atomic Bomb. He worked for various civilian contractors during that time, after which he was employed as Chief Fire Alarm Technician for the entire Oak Ridge reservation.
Wartime security at Oak Ridge was so tight that even those working on the project had no idea what they were building until after the war. All personnel, including townsite residents, were required to wear color-coded ID badges. Each color code gave the bearer access to specified areas within the project. My grandfather wore what was commonly referred to as a "rainbow" badge, which granted him unquestioned authority to access any building or facility on the reservation.
The work being undertaken at Oak Ridge was cloaked in such secrecy that residents of the surrounding communities could only guess at what was taking place right in their own back yard. A common saying of the time was, "Tons and tons of stuff goes in, but nothing ever comes out!"
On 6 August 1945, the nation and the world discovered the true purpose of the Manhattan Project. Two atomic bombs were dropped, first on Hiroshima, then three days later, Nagasaki, forcing the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Empire on 15 August 1945.
I dedicate this blog entry to all of the men and women, past and present who have worn the cloth of their country, and particularly those like Sergeant Jeremy Feldbusch, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their fellow citizens, as well as to the memory of my "Papaw" Perry and others like him who served in secrecy right here at home to assure our victory and secure to us the blessings of this great land. Please join me this Veteran's Day in thanking these truly "Great Americans". If you see a vet, shake his/her hand. Tell them how much their service honors us. Offer to buy them dinner, or consider a donation to a worthy organization like the Wounded Warrior Project. They've been there for us...let's be there for them.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott L. Perry