I had a friend in the army that I MUCH admired named Bill Edge. Bill was one of the original members of the 82nd Airborne Division "Golden Knights Parachute Team",and held some records that stood for years in high-altitude jumps. He also went to Special Forces,and served several combat tours in VN with SF before retiring as a Master Sergeant with a chest full of ribbons.
When Bill retired he moved back home to Texas,and took over managing a local convenience store. Every time I thought about what would happen if a thug when in there and pulled a gun on Bill,I had to smile. Hell,I am smiling now,just from remembering it.
Unfortunately,cancer got Bill a few years ago,and he is no longer fighting the fight for good over evil. He will never be forgotten as long as anybody that served with him is still alive,though. I seriously doubt you can find ONE single person he ever served with that will have anything negative to say about him,and more than a few who will get in your face if you try.
Now I have ruined my day thinking about Bill and the other NCO's that I admired so much as a young soldier that are no longer with us,and I was in such a good mood when it started.