Every year at the Greeley Stampede they have one night where they dedicate the rodeo to the men and women who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Thursday night was that night and they called it Patriots day. This Thursday, besides remembering and saluting all the service people that served in all the conflicts, they paid special homage to the Wounded Warriors, those service personnel that were injured while serving their country in the Middle East, and those of course who paid the ultimate price.

As you can imagine there were a lot of vets attending the rodeo tonight from the most recent conflict in the Middle East. Then travelling slowly back in time there were vets from other wars, Viet Nam, Korea, WWll. As you can imagine the numbers of those attending dwindled the further back in time we went. There were only two here tonight from WWll.

This is Herman Rady, a WWll survivor. He is 94 and remembers every detail of his time spent in the service. For him that period in his life is as fresh today as any vet’s memories are from their time spent doing their duty, even if his time was over 70 years ago. The passage of time has added a few wrinkles to his face but his eyes are sparkling with life as he takes in the swirling crowds going past him. He stands quietly leaning on his cane, letting the hubbub flow around him, a small island of serenity in an otherwise chaotic world. He is quietly modest about his service, simply acknowledging that it was something everyone had to do, so you did it.

Often called the Greatest Generation, we look back at those men and women and acknowledge the sacrifice and effort put forth by them at a very dark time in the world’s history. They literally saved the world from becoming a very different place, one that we can only imagine at how terrible it would have been and what our lives would be like now if not for their victory. When told that we were proud of him and appreciative of his participation at that time, he says a quiet thank you but then adds “One of the things I’m most proud of is being married to my wife Freda for 71 years, that’s something to be proud of. You don’t see that much anymore.” You’re right Herman, we don’t, and that’s one more thing we can add in our thanks to you and your wonderful wife Freda, for carrying forth the values and traditions of our great county. And with that we salute you, Herman Rady. I’m proud to have met you.Thank you for your service.