Published: August 06, 2009 11:15 am      

Years of military service

August 5, 2009 — Combine the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and add 175 years of service from 12 members of one family and the results are pure dedication from the Carters.

Serving in the military is a challenge for some and an honor for others, but to the Carter family – it was life.

And when it comes to patriotism, the Carters can certainly say the largest majority of the family indeed did serve his or her country.

Steve Carter of Grayson, known to all that know him as “Sarge,” is a retired Air Force technical sergeant and among one dozen of his family members who have fought on the front lines during wartimes.

“There were 19 in our family and 12 of us served during wars starting with World War II and all the way to Vietnam and my tour in Desert Storm,” he recalled recently. “We did it because each of us love our country and wanted to do our part.”

The Carter family’s devotion didn’t go unnoticed when, July 11, West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall presented one Carter sibling with a certificate of special congressional recognition. “My sister Peggy is the eldest and he presented an American flag and a letter of appreciation to her at the Milton Fairgrounds on behalf of our father Cpl. Hugh Sanford Carter and the rest of the family who served in the military.” Steve Carter said his father has passed away but would have been truly honored to receive the recognition.

After 18 years in the Air Force, Steve Carter said he doesn’t regret one moment of his service.

“It was a pleasure for us to receive the letter of recognition,” he said. “And if our mother Louise Carter was still alive she would be honored too. She always supported each and every one of us during our time in the military.”