Yes, I am a Veteran, as I served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years, and I come from a family of Veterans where my now deceased Father was a Marine to whom fought the Japanese in WWII, and have a Brother to whom, had been in the first Gulf War, who survived, and just retired after 20 serving the Air Force as well.
I guess the greatest story I could give a yarn about, has mainly to do with my fortunance, to when I was born, and to it's coinscidence to my not having to be placed into the horrible face of war. It's a short one, but holds importance not just to me, but to all those to whom understand what it means to have served.
Growing up, one of the strongest things I had heard from the time I can remember, came in the form of the Draft, and the War in Vietnam, and the horrible way Americans treated those brave souls dying, being maimed, and being shamed. It scared me to say the least, as in 1973, I entered High School, and soon to be having to think about the good possibility of being one of those ill treated servicemen, as well as the possibility of maybe getting killed. Not the things a young man should have to ponder, or at any age for that fact.
Well all of a sudden, it came, as our now dearly departed Gerald Ford had finally put an end to the horrors of Southeast Asia in 1975, and I graduating High School in 1977, it was a close call, but also a fortunate end, after seeing how long the Vietnam War had been escellating, there was more from me than just a sigh of relief. Yup, I had been saved from all the humiliation, the fear, and the thoughts of dying, and doing so in having it cease only two years before my graduation date. Believe me, it had me concerned, as I had friends to whom had brothers and uncles killed over there.
Now again, after a little over 10 years from that saving grace, I had left the Air Force in 1987, and all through my enlistment it had been peace time, except for a few skirmishes like Gernada, and the Aid of the Contras and such. In peace time I had been involved with and awarded 3 unit citations, part of the dedallion and phoenix awards, qualified for Below thew Zone rank, reciving the good conduct medal, as well as the Air Force Achievement Medal for Merritorious Service, and so forth and so on. Looking at my list, fortunance comes again serving my country, thank God, no Purple Hearts for me.
After leaving the service, the rays of light began to shine upon me once again, as after just a short time, I soon realized that my fortunance was to be continued, as it soon came to pass that I would just miss being involved in the first of the Gulf Wars by only 3 years, and one that surely would have thrown myself into that war by just one stroke of the reinlistment pen.
Yes, my story is one of fortunance, but also know, as fortunate as I have been, there have been so many lost and not as so fortunate in my life time. Do I feel guilty? No, not by any means, and this is one to inform any, that if it had come for me in my prime time, I'd be there along with all those brave people doing that fight right now, as well as way back when, along with those that had done so anytime before me. My fate of fortunance would be so much different than the one I have been blessed with for sure, but no less would it have been a life, even if cut short.
The story isn't quite finished, as I and all should know, War is a terrible thing yes, and we may hate it yes, and we may have been fortunate yes, as not to have been thrusted into any war's ugly jaws, but when we have our own anywhere in that heat of battle, we need to remember to be there with them always! Fortunate or not, aggreeing with the conflict or not, we all need to be there with them in our hearts, and in our supportive souls, and always giving them our undying love.
This is how we all do serve our country, and help ourselves and support our neighbors during times of conflict. This is how we all become the Veterans of war, and we are such, because like it or not, we are all in that conflict together, and as such we have loved ones that have been in battle, and we feel their pain when they are gone, and we all live every day, there at their side in our concern and in our worry.
Even if one does not agree with any confrontation that may be at hand, we have stand by those to whom have no choice but to go, and fight our fight, and up to us to do what we can here to bring them back home in one piece.
The success of our resolve isn't measured by our protests to those giving their lives, nor does it come by trashing them there fighting and dying keeping us and others free. It comes by doing what we can here to end any conflict by our voices to those having ability to stop it, and also by giving those in it, the highest moral possible. that can only be done by letting them know we are truly with them, and by knowing and understanding how fortunate we are not having to be there ourselves, as well for knowing, appreciating, and understanding how lucky we are for having them there to do it for us, whenever needed.
I know it's not the greatest story ever told, but to me, it's one of the the most important as being an American, and one any can remember when there are those around us that are vetrans, and for those to whom will be as our soldiers of today.
Be well, and peace!
Comments
All men and women who are in the military rock! They are my heros!!
by Katie on February 16th, 2007
You have placed a great and proper idealism to the word hero, as many use it too freely in their descriptions. Any of whom place their lives in harms way for us all, for whatever the reason, and without hesitation is truly is within the highest description of hero. Thanks for the comment, God Bless, be well, and Peace!
by Bonedry on February 17th, 2007
You are right. Hero is an earned title. Maybe it is my families military back ground... every war since the Revolution, there has been one of us there.
by Katie on February 17th, 2007