Maj. General USAF, Ret

LETTER FROM RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL MIKE WORDEN

Mike Worden Major General, USAF, Ret.

Iam so humbled and honored to write this letter to help “honor our heroes” in the proud tradition of the broader Wenatchee area.

My wife and I noticed a few years ago, that Banners of Veterans were hanging in downtown Wenatchee during November. When we asked some of our Wenatchee Veteran friends about it, they proudly showed us the “Veterans’ Banner” booklet that the Wenatchee Downtown Association and the Wenatchee World had partnered on.

In the following years, we would come in November to Wenatchee and to East Wenatchee with the current booklet in hand and walk below the banners, reading each story associated with that banner and reflect on the local families that produced these brave Veterans, our local “Heroes.” These families inspired and produced young adults with a commitment to excellence and service; so obvious as we look around this beautiful countryside, populated with American flags and farms, orchards, vineyards, breweries, wineries, hotels, restaurants, numerous small businesses and tourist attractions— all the products of hard and proud work. The Wenatchee Valley produces more than its share of patriotic young men and women who, generation after generation, volunteer to serve and defend their country and its way of life, even if it costs them their lives. It is most fitting that we honor our families with these banners and their stories.

Please read the stories about Guy and Gene Sharratt who served in the Army in the Vietnam War, much like their father had served in WW2. Or Jerry (father) and Eric (son) Hedeen who served in the Air Force, and Eric gave his life while serving in the First Gulf War. There are many more inspiring stories in these pages. The Wenatchee Valley is replete with families that continue to sacrifice their finest and fight for freedom. They are our neighbors, our relatives and our friends—they deserve a personal “thank you” and our unending gratitude.

We especially want to thank our Vietnam Veterans, many of whom were tragically not “welcomed” home and are suffering today from the effects of advancing age, disabilities and of the dangers of COVID. As a boy I remember watching as my Dad came back. I also vividly remember Vietnam Veterans challenging me as a young officer to continuously raise the bar on performance and to never let this happen to any generation of veterans again. We thank our Vietnam Vets especially—please read their stories.

As we all gather on this Veteran’s Day, we know that despite COVID, all across America, people are pausing on this day to remember. Our nation is free and safe because of our brave Veterans, who have always espoused the best values of our society and continue to volunteer to confront our adversaries abroad, so we do not have to face them here at home. As Gen Mattis reminded in last year’s letter: “We best honor them by remaining a nation worthy of their sacrifice.” Every Veteran’s Day we renew our commitment to the values and ideals that have made this nation what it still is today, the greatest nation on Earth.

With great pride and humility,

Major General Mike Worden, USAF (retired) Leavenworth, WA