EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Hathaway has declared his intention to run for the Volusia County Council district 3 seat in the 2012 elections. This ongoing and exclusive weekly column with NSBNews.net pertains only to Jim Hathaway's views as the current vice mayor and city commissioner of New Smyrna Beach. Therefore, his views as a candidate for the County Council 3 seat are not allowed in this forum. NSB News LLC maintains exclusive copyright provisions.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- This week we celebrate some very significant anniversaries here in the United States of America. Wednesday, Nov. 9, marked the 236th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Today also marks the celebrating of Veterans Day. The United States Military will always hold a special place in my life, both because of my serving 8 years as a Captain in the United States Army Reserves Quartermaster Corps and because of the service of one of my personal heroes, Capt. William Stratton Hathaway.
My father served our country in World War II in the 191st Tank Battalion in the U.S. Army. From 1943 through 1946, my father braved the battlefields of Africa, Italy, Germany, and France, even landing on the beach at Salerno during the allied invasion of Europe. His recollection of his service does not fall under some of his most treasured memories, but his service and the sacrifice of his generation allowed for this world to remain free.
My father came back to New Smyrna Beach after the war, opened a grocery store, and was elected mayor. His dedication to public service, even after giving so much during the war years, greatly influenced my life. This Veterans Day I will be spending some time with my father and thinking about all of those families that have felt the cold and horrible touch of combat. We have the lives we live because of the sacrifice of our veterans.
Thank you, dad.
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