As the daughter of a career Army officer I felt the need to write something this Veterans Day to thank my father and all of the men and women who have served in our nation’s military throughout the years. My dad, Col. Ben Purcell of Clarkesville, was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over five years. During his captivity he relied on three things to sustain him; faith, hope and love. He returned home on March 27, 1973 at the end of the war and spent the next forty years serving others through his military, political and Christian service.
Dad died last year.
The words are still hard to find but, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so, here is my tribute to Dad. He loved God, his country and family and he loved the Habersham County community.
Thank you, Dad, for answering the call to duty. Thank you to all veterans and your families for your service and sacrifice. You have paid the price for our freedom. May we never take you for granted.
