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Mota-Vational Quotes

  • "Life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain!"
  • "The happiest people don't always have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have."
  • "Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle... when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
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Friday, November 10, 2017

Honoring a Vietnam Veteran

It's not every day you get to honor a Vietnam Veteran. And it's not every kid that gets to call that Veteran their dad or their Papa! But my husband is blessed to call this brave Veteran dad, and my kids are lucky to call this brave man their Papa! We got together as a family a couple of years ago and helped my father-in-law put together a shadow box encasing medals, ribbons, pins, dog tags and memories from his service in the Vietnam War. It is incredible to hear about his service, learn about his honors, admire that he served our country and revel in the fact that he is here today to tell us his story!

George A. Mota, Special Agent (Senior Counterintelligence Agent) was stationed in Baltimore Maryland at Fort Holabird, San Francisco California at El Presidio Military Base and Tay Ninh, Vietnam. He graduated from the United States Army Intelligence School at Fort Holabird in Baltimore Maryland. His unit was the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion 525th Military Group. In Vietnam, he lived with the populace in a house in Tay Ninh City, Tay Ninh Province. There were four Agents and they had two Cambodian guards, a Vietnamese interpreter and a Vietnamese maid. The agents had an Intelligence Gathering Network and were flown by helicopter on different missions. He was in Vietnam from 1968-1969. During his time of service, he received many awards. One of which he is most proud is The Meritorious Unit Commendation which was awarded for "Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions." The emblem is worn by all members of a cited organization and is considered an individual decoration.  You will see this in his shadow box under his nameplate (its a gold rectangle with a red center ribbon).During his time he was also given, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (Awarded by Government of the Republic of Vietnam), a Sharpshooter Badge & Pistol Bar and a Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar. When asked about his time in the service he says he is, "Proud to have served!"

It's amazing to think that this shadow box holds so much! We couldn't be more proud of his service for our country or more grateful for the legacy he leaves behind! Thank you, dad, and thank you, Papa, for serving our country! We love you!


Vietnam Veteran Shadow Box
The Shadow Box Design Team

Stephen and Stephanie are proud of their dad