Dear Friend;

HEROES: The Oxford Universal English Dictionary (1927) says; 3. One who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, or greatness of soul, in connection with any pursuit, work, or enterprise.

My own definition is simpler. A hero is one who performs, or attempts to perform a service to others at great personal risk or sacrifice. If there is no risk (or sacrifice), there is no hero. If there is no service to others, then there is no hero. There are many brave people who risk only for themselves, they are not heroes.

If you know someone who has done something for others at great personal risk or sacrifice, I would be glad to hear about them. Meanwhile here is someone who, years ago took such a risk.

19 year old Pfc. Harold Christ Agerholm of Racine, Wisconsin, USMC Reserve was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Pfc. Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and to evacuate our wounded. Locating an abandoned ambulance jeep, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handedly loaded and evacuated about 45 casualties. After more than three hours of exposing himself to heavy enemy fire he ran from shelter to aid two more wounded marines and was slain by enemy sniper fire. Pfc. Agerholm's great courage and concern for others reflect the highest credit on himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gave his life for his country and for his fellow marines.

Harold Agerholm would be 72 today, I wonder how many of the marines who were on Saipan remember him and how often those he rescued think of him. Any one out there? Anyone know a Charles Swope, DSC U.S. Inf, he was a Capt at Ft Benning in l955?

I need to say thank you to our president, Goldie Russell and to the outstanding staff she has assembled to work so hard for you (and me too). We get a lot of praise for them from you the customer.

If you have not seen our web-site get a friend who is connected to the internet to show it to you. It is possible to keep a much larger selection of product displayed in this catalog location than is possible in any one of our printed catalogs due to cost. If you have access to the internet take a look.

All the best,

A. G. Russell

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