A Great American Hero

*picture from Ashley Mangus' Facebook*

Tonight we celebrate a great American hero, CPT. Geoff Mangus.  As I listened to these snippets of tonight, I realized that my friend, Geoff, is much more than a friend, a father, a husband, a cancer survivor.  He is a great American hero.  I thank you Geoff for your sacrifices, some which I will never fully know.   Here are things I heard and saw tonight as I celebrated his retirement with him, his friends and family:

"Always do right......"

"First to fight for the right"

"Integrity"

6th fold: our hearts with which we pledge allegience

Valorous Unit Citation

Red stripes, for soldiers blood

"So thankful for my wife, Ashley"

stars: in God we trust

Colossians 3:23

"Friends...through thick and thin"

12th fold of the flag: for the Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Operation Iraqi Freedom III

A little girl, dressed in red, bows in her hair, hugs her Daddy tight

"....best friend I could ever have."

Duty, Honor, Country

"Thank you Capt. Mangus"

and I echo that, "Thank you Capt. Mangus."