Political Quotes

“today I wish to reflect on Veterans Day and the debt of gratitude each of us owes those who are willing to serve our country in our Armed Forces. Each year I have the honor of attending Veterans Day events across Michigan. At each parade, commemoration, and solemn ceremony, I am struck by the profound patriotism of our veterans, but also their deep humility and lasting dedication to serving others. One amazing example of this is Jim McCloughan of South Haven. In May of 1969, he was 23 years old and far from home, serving as a medic in Vietnam after being drafted into the Army. The orders were to attack Nui Yon Hill. However, Private First Class McCloughan and his company were surrounded by more than 2,000 enemy fighters. Over 2 days of battle, Private First Class McCloughan put himself in danger time and again in order to rescue his fallen brothers. His head and arm were bloodied by shrapnel and small-arms fire; yet he refused to stop. When the battle was over, he had saved the lives of 10 members of his company. Private First Class McCloughan received the Combat Medical Badge, two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars with ``V'' device for valor, and the U.S. Army Valorous Unit Citation, among other awards. He was a hero in every sense of the word. However, he remained focused on only one thing: how he could best serve others. That is just what he did. Jim McCloughan returned home and taught and coached at South Haven High School until retiring in 2008.…”