Sorry to RDC for jacking his pic, but it moved me in a way that I have to say something.
I am proud to be a Viet Nam combat veteran. Three tours of duty, two and a half years in country over a five year period. It's been 30 years since the war ended and 15 since I first acknowledged to anyone that I served over there. In that 15 years, I have never spoken out, about my service, to a group or fourm. Occasionally perhaps "entertaining" a person that wanted to hear "war stories". I've only opened up to other brothers that served there.
I guess RDC's picture turned another page for me, on this, "My day".
The picture IS worth a thousand words. Thanks to all who said kind things about the brave man who stood up.
As far as the "people" who didn't stand up, they are Americans also. They just don't know what it is to be one. The word SHAME a thousand times to them who sit and forget. Five words to you all and others who remember and truly honour our veterans. "THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU"!
Think of the men and women marching. What do you think they feel when they see only one person acknowledging their passing. The others are just exhibiting the same sense of mixed up loyalties and ignorance that I was shown when I came home from Viet Nam on leave, Christmas week in 1973. I was ignorant then to the fact that I was coming home not to be saluted, but to be hated, by those types seated in the picture! God bless the old man who stood up. If I just had been met by the likes of him, I wouldn't have thrown all of the 13 medals my country had bestowed on me, onto the snowbank and into the sewer. I was spit at, called names, sworn at and punched. Welcome home?
Thanks for remembering?
I'm not bitter about what I did to serve my country when it called, or at the clowns that think that it was a long time ago and it doesn't matter anymore. It does matter. I lost six good friends while serving over there, two in my arms. Will they be remembered? As long as there are people like you guys and gals who are moved by the action of the old man in the picture, I will be reminded of the reason I went and finally welcomed home.
It's not a game or movie these men and women are dressed for. It's a reason. Don't forget it!
A couple of years ago I was working in a store and two young workers, about 20 years old, were talking about the war. One of them said to the other "hey Anthony was in the war." The other said "really, where"? The first boy said "Viet Nam". To which the other boy said "Wasn't that a movie"?
I was badly wounded several times, but I lost more than "brothers" because of the war. I lost part of me that feels grief. I recieved a numbness for death that hurt far more than my combat injuries. When my mother died a few years ago, I couldn't weep. However, I'll get choked up and shed a tear of pride when I see someone in the military being honoured for doing what they stand for.
I apologize only for the long speech. If I've made some think, mission accomplished. If I've offended some, then let this post fade, like the pride we should all have.
Thank you all. May God continue to bless us all.
Anthony
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