I served in the national guard and deployed to Iraq in 2004. Among the men and women I served with was an older man. He was my assistant squad leader but had to move into the role 9 squad leader several times that year. As a young man he was a marine and struggled with alcohol addiction. He finally chose his family and spent the rest of his life worth something. He wasn't sure he could retire because of the age requirements but time and time again he signed waivers to stay in. In the end he was able to retire.
While deployed we lost one of our brothers on a convoy. It was hard on everyone. Throughout the remainder of the year we would all have conversations of that day but non compared to our conversation. With tears in his eyes, which would be the first I ever saw from him, he told me how he loved all of us 'young-ins' and how he wished he protect us from witnessing what we were there to do. He went on to tell me how me how I need to be the best and do the best in everything that I do.
He and I rode in many convoys together that year. I quickly found out the Sgt. Cox was a true hero to me. His service to not only our country but to each man and/or woman he served with is remembered by an entire community of veterans. Happy Retirement old man, you deserve it!
Norman, OK