On assignment for Merrimack Valley Magazine back in 2008 I met James Gabaree of Newburyport MA and his wife Shirley just after he received his French Legion of Honor Medal. He was 19 years old and his first combat mission was June 6, 1944 D-Day. He was a Ranger and his story was amazing. He passed away in 2016 but I liked this quote I found from him. “I’ve had a happy life, I’m not a hero but a patriotic American and nobody owes me anything. All I can say is, God bless America.”