"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~Thomas Jefferson.

This man pictured is my older brother~who paid the ultimate price for our collective freedom. In Viet Nam-1970, Hershal Dwayne Cude Jr. at the age of 19 was killed by stolen ordinance (claymore mines) in the jungles near the cambodian border. I have spoken to his platoon leader (Lima company supporting the 101st Airborne)on Skype...he was less than 8 feet from Hershal when the mine was tripped. He told me he wanted to know the family members of the man he considered one of the bravest souls he ever knew, not fearing death, but respecting the life of those entrusted to his charge. I never got to meet in him in this life~but I'm sure we will in the next. I hope to live my life as a good example for him, as if he were still alive today. I'd like to think he would be glad to call me his brother~because I am so honored to know he is mine. Peace my friends.