Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I was just watching the news and the coverage of Iraq War and it made me remember something that happened last Veterans Day and it 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 one’s arm, it may fade but will always be there. 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 young men and young women are only still here as names on a black wall in Washington. Why was I allowed to have a family, rock my children and my grandchildren, have them and hold them and live so many life experiences they were deprived of. 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, grandchild hugging 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 their favorite places a gazillion times and be happy. I don’t think that is asking too much, do you?
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Goofyernmost, Wow. You've been through the Viet Nam War. My dad came through WWII in Europe. You right about their being an indelible imprint on your psyche from going through this conflict. You make some good points, like the objectives of the Iraq war being met and isn't it time to leave. I agree with you. Keep the peace!
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Wow that is just beautiful, no I don't think that is asking to much.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Nice thoughts, and thanks for your service to America, but I am still pissed at you.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb ^^^Pongo! Long time no see. Howya been? Thanks for posting your thoughts Goofyernmost. And thank you for serving our country!
Originally Posted By Sir Francis Drake Very profound, very nice Goofyernmost. Makes me realize how fortunate I am.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost Thanks for everyones kind words. I was shocked to re-read my little ramble because as I have always stated I "am dead inside". Every once in a while a little glimmer of emotion wiggles it's way out and I become sappy and introspective. Thanks for allowing me the forum to do so.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Beautiful thoughts. You don't have to keep the sappy and introspective locked up all the time.
