Serving with Honor
   by Joseph C

My ancestor, Charles Carroll was the last man to sign the Declaration of Independence. He signed it as “Charles Carroll of Carroll County Maryland” so that the King of England would know who he was.

In 1880, Captain Henry Carroll commanded the Tenth Cavalry into battle against Apache Indian Chief Victorio in what was and is known as the Hembrillo Basin, NM. The Tenth Cavalry was a unit of Buffalo Soldiers. Including Captain Carroll, the battle ended with two dead and seven wounded. The battle contributed to the end of the Indian wars that ravaged the west for so long.

There were at least two World War II Aces named Carroll. One flew with the British Royal Air Force while the other served in the Army Air Force, with 8.5 kills.

There have been Carroll’s serving our great nation in all kind of capacities throughout history.

On the tragic day of September 11, 2001 I lost two cousins in the World Trade Towers. They were firefighters that served in the New York Fire Department. That painful day lays heavy in my heart.

I have served our nation since 1984 and married my wife in 1986. We have two daughters, the oldest married to a Navy Corpsman that is currently serving in Afghanistan with his Marine unit. Cody will still be deployed when she gives birth to their first child.

So, to answer the question, this is the greatest honor in the world. I serve with passion. But, more so, I serve with my entire family by my side.

I’m an Air Force firefighter. The original owner of what is today the National Fire Academy was Charles Carroll, of Carroll County MD.

God, I love this nation!