By: Paul Ribeiro

Paul Ribeiro — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:50:42 +0000

Col. Robert B. Nett was a good man and his legened will live on. See i knew Col. Nett very well, even though i am only of high school age. I remember the first time i really got to know him was in my 7th grade year when i was oing a project on ernie pyle, and Col. Nett had met him ata USO show so i did a video interview with him. after completing the interview, his wife have mad e coffee and she had cookies that me, my fater, and the nett’s continously sipped on and munched on for at least another hour. during the whole time when i was talking to him, he seemed very humble about it and when i asked him how he won it, he repiled with a quote that i can never forget, “One does not win the medal of honor, rather we are recoginized for our actions and recieve it”. Not only did he serve 33 years in the army, but he then taught for 17 years in the Muscogee county school district, where he was a very well like and know teacher.
Another event which showed his level of dedication, me, my family to include my dads parents, and col. nertt and his wife were eating out, and while we were eating 3 soldiers, who i cannot remember if they were OCS or Rangers came up to him, and i noticed as they walked up, they all made sdure their shirts were ttucked in, they didnt slouch, and they approaced precausiously, and when he noticed them, the first thing out of the soldier in front was “i hope we are not disturbing your dinner”, and he repiled “not at all”.
after this the other 2 came up and they very respectfully shook his hand and introduced themselves and they said it was such an honor to shake his hand, and that they had recoginized him from one of his many speeches that he did regurally at Ft. Benning.
This shows how he has influenced a new generation of soldiers, and he also had motivated me in several ways. BEcause of him i joined JROTC and finilized my decision about going into the military. I visited him about 5 hours before his death because i had found out he became ver yill and had just got home from the emergency room and i was told by his doctor that he had insisted on going home and the first thing he said when he was brough across the threshold he said “im home”
now that he is gone, he still hasa legacy that lives on and inspires a new generation to live a life of honor. and so with this i say, thank you Col. Nett form making me better. your a good man and soldier and you will not be forgotten.

Comments on: Col.(ret) Robert B. Nett, 86, passes away

By: Paul Ribeiro