Dear Veteran,
In September, we marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. On that day, 2,753 men and women died at the hands of Al Qaeda terrorists who hijacked jetliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center Towers. On that day, 184 people were killed when Al Qaeda terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.
On that day, 40 Americans died after valiantly fighting off hijackers on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania, ultimately thwarting an attack on the U.S. Capitol. And on that day, thousands of police officers and firefighters responded to the scene, and the clarion call of duty echoed in the hearts of Military Members and Veterans, as well as those inspired to fight against terrorism.
During the Global War on Terrorism, thousands of American Service Members would go on to lay down their lives to protect our home, our freedoms, and our way of life. Like the generations before them, these heroes stood in defense of freedom against forces that threatened it. We are forever indebted to those who have pledged to fight for their country. As Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman, it is an honor to ensure their sacrifices and legacies are never forgotten.
This year, on September 11th, it was a tremendous honor to recognize the first two Medal of Honor Recipients ever memorialized at a Texas State Veterans Cemetery. The services, held at the recently opened West Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Lubbock, honored Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) George Davis and First Lieutenant (1st Lt.) Frank Nicias Mitchell. The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration, awarded to those who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.
Lt. Col. Davis joined the U.S. Air Force in Texas and served with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing. On February 10, 1952, he led four aircraft on a combat mission over North Korea. During the mission, he encountered a group of MiGs, engaged them, and expertly damaged two of them. However, his aircraft was also hit as he fought to protect his men, and he ultimately crashed into a hilltop. Lt. Col. Davis’s indomitable fighting spirit, heroic ferocity, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified courage.
1st Lt. Mitchell joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Texas and served as a platoon leader with A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. On November 27, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, his platoon engaged Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) in the remote mountains of North Korea. When the company commander ordered the Marines to withdraw, 1st Lt. Mitchell realized several of his fallen brothers would be left behind. He then opened fire with a Browning Automatic Rifle and threw grenades at CCF troops to give other members of the unit time to retrieve the bodies of their fellow Marines. He was mortally wounded, and the unit was unable to recover his body. His selfless sacrifice and inspirational bravery exemplify the best of our nation’s Armed Forces.
As with Lt. Col. Davis, 1st Lt. Mitchell, we owe every American who has answered their country’s call an enduring debt of gratitude, from the rebellion against injustice that sparked the American Revolution to the patriotism in the face of terrorism that inspired our nation after 9/11. May we never forget that we are the land of the free because of the brave.
For Texas,
Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.
Letter From the Chairwoman — Remembering Those Who’ve Answered the Call was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.