The United States is trying to find its way through a maze of conflicting political ideas, Seventh District Congressman Mark Green told spectators at the annual Veterans Day Program.
Green spoke to those gathered at the Giles County Courthouse Gazebo Nov. 11.
“Our country right now is struggling for its very soul,” Green said.
“People need to know of your sacrifice and what it means,” he told the veterans.
“As I wake up every Nov. 11, my thoughts return to all those I served alongside throughout my 24 years of service,” Green said, in prepared remarks and on comments from memory.
“I think of the man that was shot seven times, yet still came back to serve.
“I think of the dedicated soldier that chose to stay and fight with his battalion long after earning his retirement.
“I think of the shotgun pellets I removed from the face of a brave Navy SEAL.”
In the service, Green was in the U.S. Army Rangers and served as flight surgeon for the Night Stalkers, a premier special operations aviation regiment.
He was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the War on Terror.
His most memorable mission was the capture of Iraq leader Saddam Hussein, when he interrogated Hussein for six hours. Green was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with V Device for Valor, among many others.
After his service in the Army, Green founded an emergency department staffing company that grew to over $200 million in annual revenue. The company provided staffing to 52 hospitals across 11 states. He also founded two medical clinics that provide free healthcare to under-served populations in Memphis and Clarksville as well as making numerous medical mission trips throughout the world.
Giles County has a history of strong support of veterans affairs and of having numerous veterans organizations, according to Barry Alsup, Giles County Veterans Service officer.
Alsup also announced that Cochran Pruett, retired from the United States military and an adjunct instructor at the University of Tennessee Southern, is helping provide information about veterans benefits to students, faculty and staff.
"This is what we used to call "infantry sunshine," Green said, of the steady rain that fell during Veterans Day activities.