Honoring My Closest Soldiers...

My brother enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 and went to Officer's Training School. His wife enlisted at the same time and served as an Air Force nurse for a number of years. Jim made the Air Force his career for the next 23 years.

Thanks, Jim and Carolyn, for serving our country so faithfully for those years and for continuing to support the military by serving as Officer's Christian Fellowship personnel at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Your personal commitment to God and to our country are an inspiration to me and to many others. I am proud to have you both in my family.

My brother's son, Bryan, was appointed to the United States Academy at West Point in 1994. He continues to serve in the Army and currently teaches at West Point. This assignment follows deployments to Bosnia and Iraq plus months of rigorous training for Special Forces etc. Bryan, you have also served God and your country with honorable faithfulness through many challenges. I am very grateful to have you as a nephew.

This photo shows my nephew receiving his appointment to West Point from Senator John McCain. With Bryan are his parents - James and Carolyn Groves - and grandparents - James and Edna Groves.

There are so many Americans who have served and are serving courageously to defend our great nation. I am extremely grateful to each of those men and women but I am especially proud of these two men who are so close to me and our family. Your quiet bravery, disciplined preparedness and sustaining commitment to the One who goes into battle with you and decides all outcomes - these are testimony to your training and willingness to serve with integrity and humility. You make me proud and are cause for our country to have faith in those who willingly defend our constitution and our people. May you know that there are many Americans who are grateful for your service.

With Pride,
Your Sister and Aunt,
Linda