Memorial Day and Veterans Day are the two hardest days for me. Each year gets worst. The VA counciling, therapy, meetings and help offers aren’t working for me or a lot of others. There are times when we meet for coffee after the meetings of how we are gonna buy the farm. We joke of insane ways, but reality sets in when one of us actually does it.
Some of us have beads of burden that we always carry for remembrance. I have 12 beads of those remembrances. Each bead has a name and memory. Each bead gets heavier every year.
I really don’t like writing. It lets people see into your soul. This year has been the toughest. Three members of our group bought the farm. They say aging is a reward that life gives you for doing the right things.
My aging process isn’t doing to well, I see my America going to hell. I see the young being disrespectful and more violent each day. I see politicians refuse to wear the American flag pin, or not respecting the National Anthem when played. I see politicians do anything or say anything to get the illegal votes. I see our leaders become more immoral as if it’s badge in some club. I see our court systems slap hands for the most serious crimes and reward celebrities for their 15 minutes. I could go on and on. You know it and I know it.
One of my problems with Americans is that they believe the news media more then they believe the books of their Gods. They profit at the expense of their neighbors. Their to busy to be parents or take an interest in their surroundings. Greed is their false idol and compassion is a disease. This could go on and on also.
The reason I’m writing is for the others that can’t or won’t. We have these days to remind us of the prices paid for this country to get this far. I’m here to tell that most people have no earthly idea what those prices were.
One of those prices was a young man assigned to me in 1967. Mike was smart, fun and very gun-ho. Mike is your typical city kid from a poor family just making it. (You see there weren’t to many rich kids fighting this war either.) Mike did everything asked of him and was becoming a leader of men. On this one patrol he was given 4 men to lead and hold a position along a river bank. He set up a good defense area and waited for us to come back. Well all hell broke loose and we started back to our lines. We were blocked in a well organized ambush. Slowly our numbers were falling, we called for help but none was available right then. Some how Mike heard the ambush and advanced his men to where there was an exit available. When he open fired, all the enemy immediately targeted his position. If it wasn’t for Mike and his men the Wall in Washington would of been a lot longer. Needless to say his position was over run. Mike knew that he was giving his life for the men and wounded on that patrol. That’s what war is. It is a man giving his life so that others may live.
So I don’t need to hear this crap from a politicians wife that she wasn’t proud to be an American until her husband ran for office, or from that politician that he refuses to wear the flag pin or stand up straight when the National anthem is played.
I don’t need to hear stories of these groups that interfere with a warriors funeral.
I don’t need to see protesters protesting something they know nothing about.
I will defend this country until my death and for the values that it stands for. I have seen, been part of, and yes paid some of that price needed for this great country.
Thank you for listening.