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.
2 comments on One of my beads on this up coming Memorial Day
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I listened very closely...and, you are welcome. Your words speak loud and clear and the emotions behind them can be felt. I'd like to be able to say that I'm proud of the wars we've fought in, but I am not proud of the fact that any war had to be fought, or any of the destruction or casualties on either side ever had to take place. However, the wars were fought and are still being fought and those who are defending and supporting this country in any capacity are to be honored, appreciated, and remembered. And, although there may be a lot of things wrong with this country and still a lot to do, it IS our home!
The flag represents this home...not just as a colorful piece of cloth that's associated with a nation, but as a symbol and a COMPLETE reminder of EVERYTHING about and within our nation's very existence. The flag is our history, our strides, our victories, our sufferings, our beautiful land, our government, our sacrifices, our homes, our families, our education, our sciences, our skills, our scars, our riches, our needy, our people, our beliefs, our values, our freedom, our rights, our goals. The flag is a "thing" of it's own, having it's own birth, life, injuries, and victories...it endures all weather and is open to any and all public regard. So, it symbolizes life, it embodies all that is true, therefore it also identifies our very being as a nation and as individuals. The flag is us and we are the flag, so it should be embraced forever as our very own lifeblood and the icon of our nation.
It isn't necessary to go into a discussion of the role of politics, reasons of legitimate protests, or the rights of people to have their opinions and how they prioritize them because these things exist in all issues and carry some valid points along with many shameful words and behavior. What is necessary to state is that, regardless of what any group or person may feel is wrong, let the anger or disagreement target the specific wrong, and not show disrespect, neglect, or any ill thought or behavior toward those who have built, protected, and preserved this home, or to what is proudly waving as our very symbol and voice.
If one doesn't abandon a home because of one leaky pipe, or one doesn't destroy a whole forest because of one sick tree, or one doesn't stop being valuable because of tarnish, and if one doesn't lose all respect of oneself because of some blemishes, then one should not do the same for this country, it's people, or it's flag. To do so is the same as denying your home, mistreating your family (as well as yourself), and abusing all you hold dear, including your very own ideals.
Maybe, just maybe, people will think about why they have children, why they go to work, why they protect their yards, why they enjoy vacations, why they wear the clothes they wear, why they want to see birds and butterflies, why kids go to school, why hospitals are needed, why the arts exist, why they have family gatherings, why they are happy or unhappy, and why they have opinions for or against things...and then, maybe, just maybe, they will see and realize that it's this country that makes all those things be and those reasons are shared by this country and it's people. And, that it's what our freedom allows for, that it's why our flag sustains us, and it's because of those who have and do defend and protect it all that we have those reasons, those values, those opinions, and, hopefully, the pride and gratitude that they all deserve!
Yes, there's a lot of deteriorating going on here and all over the world, as all people have said throughout different generations. However, the convictions of many who hold the more important to be true have and still do care, appreciate, protect, defend, strive, and honor. And, there are those who do remember, feel gratitude, have pride, and salute. All of these people have done these things and will continue to do these things regardless of the fact that deterioration exists or that some people don't care or approve. Which is all the more reason to respect and admire those who have made a difference, those who have sacrificed so much, and those who appreciate it all.
Yes, I am going to be sad on Memorial Day and I'm sure I'll be shedding some tears. But, I am also going to be happy that this country has such brave people in it and proud of who they are, what they've done, and what I have because of them. I may still have my opinions about war and other things I feel need to be worked on and improved in this country, but I will be humble and proud when I hear Taps and when I salute the flag.
Wow! This one of the many reasons I call you friend. We differ on a few things and agree on ahell of a lot more. Most important to me is that you have feelings for America and you love America so much you put it in writting. For me the flag is always held up high, not to brag or identify a location, it is held high for the values it represents and the blood spilled to keep it flying high. It is a symbol that gives peace of mind and should remind us how great we have it here in America. Trust me when I say that if ever your in danger this is the symbol you want to see waving and coming to save your ass. God bless America