Originally Posted By Goofyernmost For some reason, this Veterans Day, like no other previous to this, brought back memories that I had long since buried deep in my psychic. Someone, for the first time, thanked me for what “I had done for them†all those years ago. It seems so long ago now. It got me to thinking and then remembering that day, October 17, 1969 when I got on that airplane and traveled with some 200 other men and women to South Vietnam. 12,000 miles from home. I had just completed college and was a 21 year old. Old by the standards of most of the people that I was traveling with. It isn’t important what I did there it is only important that I was there. The heat, the primitive conditions, the danger and the comradery that was unique to the place and situation will always be a part of my brain like a tattoo on the arm. One year of my life that I will never get back again was invested in that dusty, surreal place. Grateful that I didn’t give up more than that, I will always be. So many young people with so much potential and desire to live, didn’t. It is hard to think about and even more difficult to not feel guilty about. Why did I survive when so many boys and girls are only still here as names on a black wall in Washington. Looking back now it is so hard to see any reason that all those young people gave their life. Was it just politics, was there a real reason to be there…like the dreaded Domino Effect? Were we all just pawns in someone’s testosterone guided war game. Over there, it was no game. It was real and it was awful. Why did these people that I didn’t know and hadn’t even met want so badly to see me dead? And I, them! What would make a normally passive, Mickey loving individual, capable of killing another person? I remember at the time thinking that if I had to I could do it. Me, a guy that had never so much as hurt another living thing intentionally! How could that happen. Survival, yes! That is what it was! I questioned the reason I was there but never doubted that I had to do what I had to do to maintain the freedoms and opportunities that this country offers. Hindsight tells us that there was no really good reason for Vietnam and only history will tell us if the sacrifices in Iraq had a purpose. I certainly hope so. About 7 years later, after my two daughters were born, I can remember how good I felt that I didn’t have any boys that could be sent to that kind of place. Well, times have changed now and girls can be in harms way. At least, if they are, they volunteered. I support and back the troops fighting and dying in other lands. I may not support and back the people that sent them there if there turns out to be no real good reason. Now that Saddam is disposed of, and no huge supplies of weapons of mass destruction have been uncovered, I want them home. I want them home to live life, fall in love, have babies, visit Disney a gazillion times and be happy. I don’t think that is asking too much, do you?
Originally Posted By Ursula AHA! I was looking for a veteran to thank at work and we ran out of them. THANK YOU, GOOFYERNMOST!!! And no, I agree with you, bring our people home. War is a necessary evil, but I don't think it's necessary to be in Iraq now. May I share? I was 5 in kintergarden and my mom pulled me out of class because there was a strange man standing next to her...my UNCLE!!! He was back from the war and boy, was she happy to see him. He liked my painting that I had. The next few years were strange to me because whenever we had a party or a family gathering, he couldn't stand in or near the middle of the room. He is way better now, though, and I see him a few times a year. It's odd, the things you remember.
Originally Posted By trailsend I thank you VERY MUCH, Goofyernmost. I thank you for the loyalty and bravery. There is much good happening in Iraq. We just don't hear it. I saw an interview yesterday with a Kurdish man who's area is flourishing with an economic boom and he was so grateful for the liberation. He was smiling and happy. Thank a soldier.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I appreciate your post Goofyernmost. My Dad was in WWII as a glider mechanic. He never talked about his 3 years unless specifically asked about something like "why were you in Africa?". He came back and that was pretty much all he felt we needed to know. My niece's fiancee is just back in the states after a year in Iraq. Discussion of war and politics are "banned" from any family gatherings. I guess my fathers legacy of just not talking about it has carried on. Thank you and I wish you and your family many Disney days together
