In April of 1861, the War Between the States broke out.

Nine-year-old Johnny Lincoln Clem ran away from home to join the Union Army. But Johnny found the Army not particularly interested in recruiting a boy.

The commander of the 3rd Ohio Regiment told him he “wasn't enlisting infants just yet,” and sent him home. Johnny, then headed to the 22nd Michigan Regiment nearby.

Determined, Johnny tagged along and demonstrated his skill as a drummer boy so professionally the commander allowed him to stay with the regiment.

At the same time, a fourteen-year-old boy joined the Union Army in late 1861, Company D, 8th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. What he fought for was “to free the blacks” and “save the Union.”

His name was George Preston Nock. He was my Great-Grandfather.

Their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice is why this nation is what it is today. It’s why we’ve become an Ensign of Liberty to the world, that Shining City on A Hill that President Reagan spoke of so reverently.

These two related, true stories that overlap—representing so many heroes, as well—show us why we remember Veterans Day this November.

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I’m Rick Robison and this is the HEROES FOR FREEDOM Podcast.

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OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

50 - THE GREAT ESCAPE FROM LIBBY PRISON | Lt. Jacob Merritt (Union Prisoner) | Civil War

49 - THE SPY CONFEDERATES NEVER SUSPECTED… | Elizabeth “Crazy Bet” Van Lew (Union Spy) | Civil War

44 - INSPIRING THE AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK | Stephen Foster (Composer) | Civil War

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