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While combat is, indeed, a young man's game, American history is replete with old soldiers. Even a cursory Google finds many examples. One of my favorites fought during our revolution; Samuel Whittemore, 78. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Whittemore

The oldest man at the Alamo was a youngster by comparison; Gordon C. Jennings, 54. http://www.agribusinesscouncil.org/jenn ... 20Hero.htm

Curtis King served in the Late Unpleasantness at 80. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... id=7661570

In that same conflict, the 37th Iowa Infantry comprised soldiers at least 45 years old. "While most of its members were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, it is recorded that a few were in their 70s and at least one man claimed to be 80. " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/37th_Iowa ... y_Regiment

Peter Hains served in both the American Civil War and World War I. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/pchains.htm

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was in the first wave at Utah beach at 57. http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/1944.html

On the Vietnam Wall; Annie Ruth Graham, 52, and Dwaine McGrif, 63. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/argraham.htm http://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=287040

More recently, John Taffe graduated from Army Basic Combat Training, Ft Leonard Wood, at 55. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/55 ... 42821.html

John William Vessey, Jr., a fellow artilleryman, retired at 63. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Vessey_Jr.

I retired at 60 with disability. I'm still useful.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

Pawpaw wrote:You see, we swore an oath...

And as my Life Group leader says sometimes, no one has relieved him of it yet.

September, 1973, 'til death do us part.