In honor of our veterans

Before Ace Boughton, a retired Navy veteran, introduced the guest speaker at the Tara Golf & Country Club Veterans Day Dinner & Dance on Wednesday evening, he recalled a story about a meeting with a retired Marine.

He asked the Marine if he had served.

"I am a United States Marine," the man replied.

Boughton said the man was in his 70s with white hair. "But did you serve?" he asked again.

"I am a United States Marine," the man repeated.

Boughton obviously came to the conclusion, "Once a Marine, always a Marine."

Kelly Lanford, a retired Marine warrant officer, then took the podium and talked about service and patriotism to the crowd, which enjoyed dinner and dancing at the club.

The night was dedicated to Brigadier General John P. Casey, Jr., who died Oct. 9 at age 84. Casey was a Vietnam veteran who retired to Bradenton after 28 years of service.