Fred Tanner was born just over a year before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, but that world-changing event foreshadowed his life’s journey. In this memoir, Tanner narrates the story of serving thirty-four years in the U.S. military, primarily in the U.S. Coast Guard. Launch the Ready! recalls the events and friendships that have made him the person he is today—from growing up in an orphanage with other boys and girls to enlisting in the U.S. Army and then the U.S. Coast Guard. He reflects on how his experiences in the orphanage contributed to his character and affected his military service. He narrates a host of events that illustrate the personal risks he and his fellow guardsmen took to protect the dignity of the Coast Guard and safeguard the country and the lives of its citizens. Filled with photographs and details of other military personnel, this memoir not only reflects the richness of Tanner’s life, but also illustrates the sacrifices and hardships men and women make for their country every day. Fred Tanner, currently a North Carolina resident, is the author of "Tanner "Boy Orphan."" After his mother's death, Tanner grew up at the Methodist Children's Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He served a brief stint in the U.S. Army before joining the U. S. Coast Guard. His career in the military spanned thirty-four years. Launch the Ready! DNA AMERICAN PATRIOT: A Proud Life in the U.S. Coast Guard By Fred Tanner Trafford Publishing Copyright © 2010 Fred Tanner All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4269-3238-0 Chapter One My life began in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina near the town of Hayesville on the edge of the Nantahala National Forest. I am a descendent of the original pioneer settlers of the area. My ancestors served our great country all the way back to the Continental Army in the war for America's independence. Through their pioneering spirit, the wild woods of the Appalachian Mountains became the home of my family. My family members have served in nearly every conflict since the war for independence. Blood of my ancestors was spilled in the sands of many of our states and in the soils of many foreign lands for the freedoms we enjoy today. So many of our countrymen take these freedoms for granted or disrespect our country. That saddens me! Absalom Hooper, my great grandfather (times seven), fought during the Revolutionary War. He was wounded in two different battles and imprisoned by the British as a POW, but continued to fight for our independence. Absalom was born around 1764 on the Main Broad River, near the mouth of the Green River in S.C. Absalom left his mother, who was an adherent of the Tories, to join the Continental Army of the American territory during the Revolution. He enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776 with Captain Richard Dogged in Charleston, South Carolina. Absalom was only twelve years of age at the time he volunteered to fight for our American freedom. He served in the South Carolina regiment under Colonel William Henderson, Commandant; Major Brown; Captain Richard Dogged and Lieutenant Jesse Baker. He was to receive a bounty of $30.00 in Continental money. He was to receive $5.00 per month pay and a bounty of 640 acres of land at the end of the war, considering our revolution succeeded. According to his declaration in 1833, he never received his pension after the US Government took over the pensions of the disabled American Revolutionary War Veterans from the State of South Carolina in 1832. After nearly giving up his life in several battles and being imprisoned as a prisoner of war, he had to petition our federal government for what was promised him. Absalom was on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina under command of General Howe when the island came under attack by British forces led by Sir Henry Clinton. From Charleston, South Carolina, he marched under command of General Howe into Florida against the British post on Little St. Mary's River. The British evacuated the post on arrival of the Continental Army. The army returned to Charleston about the time the British took Savannah, Georgia. At this time, General Lincoln took command and Absalom marched under General Lincoln to Purrysburgh, South Carolina above Savannah. After Nashe's defeat at Briar Creek, Absalom marched up to Augusta, Georgia, and crossed the river into Augusta. About that time, the enemy crossed Savannah River at Jubley's Ferry and marched in the direction of Charleston. Absalom was marched down the river and crossed at a place called the Three Sisters. After crossing the river his regiment pursued the enemy. When the Americans arrived at Bacon's Bridge on the Edisto River, they found that the British had built and fortified Stono Fort. Absalom was in the attack on that fort under Colonel Henderson in a regiment called the New Infantry. From Stono Fort, the British retired onto Beaufort Island. The Americans marched to Seldon Bulls opposite the Beaufort