The moment I'll always love

On July 3, I walked through my grandparents front yard and witnessed my nearly 90 year old grandpa quietly limp as he gathered several flags to fly in honor of Independence Day.  My eyes welled with tears because this was the same man who, decades ago, enlisted in the US Army Air Corps at just 17 years old.  This was the same man who flew 57 missions for a total of 276 combat hours as a tail-gunner in a B-17 bomber.  This was the same man who survived being shot down 3 different times.

He gave and sacrificed for our great country to defend liberty and freedom.

And there he was, without saying a word, without seeking praise or recognition, without asking for help, slowly preparing several flags to fly in honor of the country he deeply loves.  His aging body makes it difficult to get around, which made his effort to fly these flags all the more sacred. There are few as selfless and patriotic as Kenneth Porter. I am privileged to know him and call him grandpa.