Submitted by Gay Carlson, Aug 29, 2007 08:36

I joined the Navy to attend the US Naval Academy in 1969 - the height of the Vietnam War. As a midshipman, I was one of the few to go ashore in Da Nang in 1970 with the sounds of war all around. I graduated in 1973 and served aboard two ships and one shore station. Now, I have just completed a tour of duty as a Navy Reserve CDR in Afghanistan, where I served proudly with the International Security Assistance Force. I met wonderful men and women there from all walks of life and 37 nations. Afghanistan is an untold story of success in the making. Thanks for writing an uplifting article. And to any who are wavering in their commitment to the United States, remember that it does, indeed, take Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

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