Chuck DeVore’s Armed Services Day Message: Freedom Isn’t Free

- Chuck DeVore May 16th marks America’s 60th observance of Armed Forces Day. I want to extend my sincerest thanks and congratulations to all of you who are serving or who have served America in uniform. In addition, I deeply appreciate all of the family members of our service members, past and present and acknowledge the sacrifices you too have made. When I enlisted in the Army as a private first class back in February, 1983 (pictured above), it was less than 8 years after the fall of Saigon marking the end of the Vietnam War. What an amazing 24+ year career it was (I’m still in the Army; I’m just not actively drilling anymore). We ate C-rations out of cans 26 years ago, using a P-38 to open them (we still have one in the kitchen as a backup). Now Army field chow comes in plastic bags called MREs.