Marine completes career, never regretted a minute; Harding grad Braddy enjoyed chance to give President Bush training
MARION - First Sgt. Grady L. Braddy Jr. has no regrets for the 22 years he served his country. Braddy retired Aug. 11 in ceremonies held at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Anacostia, Washington, D.C.
http://www.centralohio.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/BE/20060821/NEWS01/608210324/1002&template=BE
By BRENDA J. DONEGAN
The Marion Star
August 21, 2006
"The military is an awesome place to start your life, to become mature, serve your country and also get an education if you choose to do so," he said. "I've never regretted it a minute."
Neither has his mother, Tiny Braddy, who drove to Virginia for his retirement ceremonies. Also attending were Grady's sister, Veronica Huffine and her husband, Chuck, and brother Garret, wife Deborah and granddaughter Jada Elliott.
"I am just so proud of him," Tiny said, smiling. "To hear his commanding officer say all the good things they had to say about him just puffed my chest."
She was a little bit prouder when she heard how her son had coordinated President Reagan's funeral. But her proudest moment came when her son got the chance to say a few words.
"I want to thank my mother. If it hadn't been for her, I would have dropped out of school."
Tiny acknowledged that keeping Grady in school as a single mother was a chore, but she was persistent.
"I told him and I told his principal he was not quitting school on me," Tiny said. "He went to summer school, night school, day school but we got him through it and then he went into the Marine Corps."
Offering congratulations as he also reminisced about having Braddy in high school was Mike McCreary, principal at Harding High School. McCreary said his fondest memories of Braddy were his talents as a wrestler.
Braddy's awards
Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award; Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award; Navy Unit Commendation with bronze star in lieu of second award; Marine Unit Commendation with two bronze stars in lieu of third award; Good Conduct Medal (7th award); National Defense Medal with bronze star in lieu of second award; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze star in lieu of second award; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze starts in lieu of fourth award; and drill instructor ribbon.