Flying across the Pacific on one of my several trips to the Vietnam war I was surprised to find a civilian passenger on my KC-135. We usually carried up to 70 military passengers on deployments but rarely civilians.

Ironically, somewhere in the vicinity of over-flying Wake Island, I went back into the cargo compartment to stretch my legs and relax with a cup of coffee. There by the coffee pot I engaged the older, overweight, somewhat scroungy appearing, gentleman in conversation.

I was curious as to his status, a civilian, riding on a military tanker. He looked like he had lived a hard life and I found out that indeed he had! I regret that I don't remember his name but it could well have been Don Butler.

I found that my passenger had been working for a civilian contractor on Wake Island in December 1941. The day after attacking Pearl Harbor, the Japanese also assaulted Wake Island and eventually captured it on Dec. 23. All surviving American personnel, Marine and civilian alike where imprisoned by the Japanese. In 1942 a large group of those prisoners, including my somewhat bitter passenger, were shipped to Japan to work as slave laborers in their defense industry.

This fellow was only too eager to tell how badly he still hated the Japanese people especially the "bas____" of a guard that had beaten him daily. That guard used a short split bamboo club painfully striking the POW's on their skulls so that bruises didn't show.

The ex-POW was not a happy man and expressed disgust with the U.S. government which at that time had not recognized the civilians for their service when they eventually returned home. In a sense it was understandable in that they hadn't shown up for work even though they were working in a defense related industry. He related it was a mighty bleak homecoming in 1945 with no job and no recognition for the hell he had gone through for his country.

Since we spoke, Congress has remedied the omission and has granted those civilian POW's military service credit with all the accompanying veteran's benefits.

The bitter passenger passed out of my life after we landed in Guam but I've never forgotten him. I was aware of the history of the capture of Wake Island, not one of our finest hours in World War II, but until that night visiting with an actual participant in the battle the event didn't have a lot of meaning to me. Sadly the veterans of World War II are rapidly passing from this life their stories relegated to unfeeling history books.

I now cherish every chance to visit with one of "The Greatest Generation."

I have written before of my wife's efforts to help our active duty personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan by regularly sending gift packages of practical items, including her handmade ribbon crosses, to Chaplains for distribution to deserving personnel. Well Ann received an e-letter from one of "her" military chaplains this week thanking her for her generosity. Army Chaplain (Major) Mark E. Thompson had just returned to his post somewhere in-country following a fifteen day leave with his family in the United States. He was grateful to again spend time with his precious family but was also painfully reminded that (his words) "most American people certainly are not involved in this war.

In World War II, 59 percent of the Gross National Product was related to the war. Korea 14 percent, Nam, 9 percent and currently 4 percent of the GNP is related to the war. And if the congress says 'We support the troops' one more time I will be sick."

He also opines that: "congress has never given the 'Soldier' 100 percent of the equipment we need to go to war or the dollars to properly provide for the needs of our families and they are not doing it now."

The Major continues: "Let me make this clear; I am a chaplain, prior enlisted solder and I have served my country for 18 years. I love what I do. I love the Army. I am a Brigade chaplain and in the past 8 months have traveled over 17,000 miles to visit our soldiers from Mosul to Kandahar to Qatar and back to Kuwait. Most soldiers do not want to be here and at the same time are tired of politicians, especially those whom have never served, (a group I understand is increasing daily) talk about how we got here. Just incase you missed it; we are here, so get off the dead horse."

"I know first hand how generous the American people are. In the past eight months I have coordinated the distribution of over $750,000 in contributions of phone cards, food, comfort items, clothing and school supplies to our Soldiers, schools, and hospitals in three countries. The military personnel that are involved in this war are incredible young men and women. We have eaten together, prayed together, played together, and they have died in my arms. This is messy, life is messy. We are fighting now because we are Americans. In the middle of difficult times we are trying to do what is right in helping others have a future while protecting our own. It is one of the things America does best. And for what it is worth, I am proud to be an American Soldier."

Based upon my past experience, I find this serviceman's bold words, directed toward his political civilian superiors, sounding a bit harsh. In the military it is okay to think such thoughts but stating them out loud is discouraged. Yet I am sure those emotions are as deserved and as heartfelt as were those of my "civilian POW" passenger years ago. Obviously both perceive their wronged status to be a failure of our government. It may be well to remember those comments as we cast our ballots next November.

That is the way I see it.