This is a Picture of Freedom

Pictured from Left to Right:

Farmer, William Thien, National Commander – in- Chief Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Nick Guest, PSC /State Adjutant /Quartermaster VFW; Joe DeShields, Vice Membership Chairman South VFW; Judge Brown, PSC/Asst State Chief of Staff North VFW; Ed Ford, State Commander VFW; Steve Milano, Assistant Adjutant /Quartermaster VFW; Dale Smith, Membership Chairman VFW and myself.

Farmer and I went to Sacramento, CA for a farm meeting. While there we strolled through Old Sacramento and met these wonderful Veterans on the sidewalk.

We first met Vice Membership Chairman South VFW Joe DeShields and State Commander VFW Ed Ford. We chatted a while with them and found out they were there with some young people who won an essay contest (Voice of Democracy) and were spending the day with the Veterans. Here is a link to read more about the students and the activities: http://www.vfwca.org

The others joined our group and we chatted a bit and the had the privilege of having our picture taken by Robyn King the State Historian.

I received some information on a one of these men.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WILLIAM A. "BILL" THIEN

William A. “Bill” Thien was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on July 24, 2013, at the VFW’s 114th National Convention, held in Louisville, Ky. 

Mr. Thien served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1974 and served five years in the Indiana National Guard. His decorations include the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Bar, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), National Defense Service Medal and several from the National Guard...

You can go to vfw.org to read his full bio.

Shortly after we walked away we stopped another man in a blue jacket and asked if he was a Veteran. Yes, and we discovered he was Robyn King's husband.

This is Robyn and Michael King, US Army, 101st Airborne, Helicopter Crew Chief served from 90-95 Desert Storm/Desert Shield, and flew Medevac in Korea 92-93.

We talked to him for quite awhile hearing his life story. At one point I just grabbed him and hugged him and said I need to hug you and thank you.

A young 42 with multiple health issues due to defending the freedom of our country. How do you thank someone for that?

It's my desire to honor these men and others not pictured here on this blog.

We can NEVER EVER thank enough.

We can NEVER EVER do enough.

We can NEVER EVER appreciate enough.

We can NEVER EVER love enough.

We can NEVER EVER honor enough.