Veteran's Tales

    There are three flags on display in my home.  The first was draped over the coffin of my great-uncle, the second over the coffin of my Father-in-Law, and the third over my Dad's coffin.  When I die, they'll hang one over mine as well.  The flag is pretty important to me.

    I actually have 4 great uncles that served in World War II.  Back then, you did your job, you came home and your family looked after you.  At least, that's how my family viewed it.  There was PTSD (Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder), some called it shell-shock, but it wasn't widely diagnosed or understood.  Your family just new that somehow you were different and they loved you and took care of you.  In those days, more people died closer to where they were born.  Communities were smaller, people had front porches and used them.  People knew the people around them, and you had to go out of your way to be isolated.

    My Dad and Father-in-Law, served during the Korean War.  My Father-in-Law served in the Army in Korea, my Dad ended up in the Navy in the Caribean.  Just goes to show that you don't get to pick your service; you go where they send you.  In the end, my Father drew a weapon more often than my Father-in-Law who ended up as a clerk.  The War started with the border on the 38th Parallel, and eventually ended with it in the same place.  That war has never formally ended to date.  It is more of a forgotten war.  No real winner, no real loser, just alot of veterans that needed tending, and alot of families forever changed.

More after the jump.

    I have several uncles that served between wars, many of them overseas due to the Cold War.   I also have one uncle that enlisted in the Marines to go to Vietnam.  Alot of people are shocked that people enlisted for Vietnam, but percentage-wise there were more volunteers in Vietnam than World War II.  He served a tour over there, came back and then volunteered for a second tour.  He didn't feel right about leaving his men.  I don't blame him.  When he came back, there was no hero's welcome.  The family loved him, and took care of him.  For a while, I remember not being allowed to yell, or slam the door around Uncle Johnny.  No problem for us, he was our hero.  Eventually, he got a job, got married, and had a couple kids.  He won't talk about his service, so out of respect, no one asks.

    I have several cousins in the military.  Most served in relative peace, others in time of war (don't tell me they're police actions).  One cousin served in the Marines and got out.  Around 15 or so years later, he joined the National Guard and went to Iraq for two tours.  He's seen plenty of action.  Another cousin served in the Army in Desert Storm, he's also a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He's hanging out in Denver these days (probably a Bronco fan).  I haven't seen him since his wedding.  See people don't stick as close to home anymore, it's easier to get disconnected and isolated.  A friend of mine in high school joined the Marines.  He was on a routine morning jog when he dropped dead.  Strange heart problem.  Another high school friend is going to retire from the Navy, he's been all over the world.

    My own service was in the Air Force.  I love planes.  I spent some time in England where we sent the planes on some missions it's better not to talk about.  I spent some time in Germany when the wall came down.  For us, selfishly, we hoped that meant a break from all the training with the chemical warfare gear.  Desert Shield (precursor to Desert Storm) rolled around, and we were a refueling stop for the guys heading out east.  Bought drinks for alot of guys going that way.  A C-5 crashed on base, one of the engines quit on take-off.  Luckily, it was loaded with more equipment than troops, but that is small consolation for the families of the crew.  Unfortunately, a fully loaded C-5 carries ALOT of fuel, so it took awhile to put the flames out.  You take alot of first aid courses in the Air Force, or at least I had to.  Chemical warfare attacks to sucking chest wounds, they covered alot of ground.  Of course you figure you'll never have to use that in Germany.  During an air show the base had, two of three Itallian jets collided while executing a maneuver.  Unfortunately, pieces of burning jet started sailing into the crowd.  It makes you wonder sometimes how you get missed and the person next to you gets hit.  The grand design.  Before long, though you're checking pulses establishing a triage, and piling up the less fortunate.  That's the day I learned how to inject an IV.  The nurse that showed me said I did well, but the patients weren't able to complain.  Jon Bon Jovi came over and did a concert for us later, which was pretty cool.  When I see Belichick - Bon Jovi articles I smile.  My five years were up by the time Desert Shield became Desert Storm, and I had a life to get back to.

Where do I sit after all that?  I encourage young people that are interested to serve in the military.  All service is honorable.  I'm an American Legion member, and I try to help the guys serving to come back and live productive lives.  Everyone's service is different, every veteran is unique.  To all those who have or are serving, thank you.  I don't know what you've been through, but I'm willing to listen.  Every veteran has a tale.

On a side note, I highly recommend reading this post by Mosul_Dolfan.  Never are humans more noble, than when they serve others.