1100-11-11

First a personal note. I loved the results of last week's election. Evidently my sister, the one of liberal persuasion, not so much. She seems to be blaming marital strife, over-(house) work, all sorts of things that are a temporary crisis in her life on anything except admitting to the sound trouncing of her beloved Democrat Party. Tickles me and I still love the lady. Even my fellow columnist, Mike Hendricks, seems to be leaning toward a more conservative outlook on life. Savor the moment.

Grannie Annie's Adopt-A-Chaplain effort to send Christmas care packages to troops overseas is gaining great momentum. This Community is most generous. Several local businesses have held fundraisers and donated to her project. Local children and others are writing Christmas cards "To a Soldier" to be included in the boxes. People drop by with plastic bags full of items to send, an Alma Dentist contributed 51 pounds of Trick or Treat candy, the list goes on. Many individuals, including addresses from Texas, California, Arizona and local as far away as Lincoln sent cash or checks to pay postage and purchase additional needed items. You people are the greatest.

Today, Veterans Day, is a time to pause and give thanks especially to the heroes, those that never returned, those that gave their all so that we can pursue our lives, liberty, and pursuit of happiness today.

The date is chosen to commemorate the time that the Armistice concluding World War I went in effect. The "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918". Yes it was the conclusion of the "War to end all Wars" but that hasn't worked out very well. From the viewpoint of this old veteran the reason rests on the back of the politicians that take over after the Generals and our troops deliver the goods. Even worse is having politicians call the shots to micro-manage every battle as did LBJ and McNamara in my war that was Vietnam.

That aside it is time to remember and give thanks. The World War I vets are now gone. If you find a veteran from World War II, rapidly decreasing in numbers due to age, tell him "Thank You". To a Korean War vet say "We Remember". To the Vietnam vets give a hearty "Welcome Home". Then to the vets of Iraq and Afghanistan and all currently serving tell them "Your service IS appreciated."

Recently Ben Ferguson wrote to ask of my remembrances when I came home from Vietnam. He was compiling an article for his Adopt-A-Chaplain Newsletter about the experiences of Vietnam vets when things in this country got ugly. To me it was a national embarrassment but those today under the age of 40 may not remember. A friend answered Ben:

When I came home I just wanted to forget the entire experience because people were so against the war they treated Vets very poorly. I was called a "Baby-Killer" at the L.A. Airport while in uniform and while visiting my Son's pediatrician the nurse said that she did not like soldiers. It just made me feel like I spent a year doing my duty as an American the public was not sympathetic, neutral, it sure made me feel unwelcome and not very good about serving my country. Eddie

That is sad. It is worthy to note that many of the radicals and protesters who attacked our educational and political institutions and abused our troops are in positions of educational and national leadership today... and abused vets have long memories! Hello John Kerry, Jane Fonda and too many in the present administration.

I have to say that my own experience returning home in 1967, 1968 and 1969 was different from Eddie's. In each case I flew my tanker directly from South East Asia to my home base in Oklahoma. We taxied in to find our families happy waiting to greet us right there on the flight line. Those were wonderful moments. I also spent no time slogging through a fetid jungle but observed it all from a cool pristine 25,000 feet. Too many of those days were sad though when fighters coming out from bombing North Vietnam were fewer than the number we had refueled going in. Yes I also found the names of seven dear friends on the Vietnam Wall.

Ben then continues by asking was Vietnam a mistake? With 20/20 hindsight we can debate the pros and cons of the Vietnam War as we do in all wars but one thing is not debatable. The treatment of our young warriors when they returned was a national disgrace! Regardless of our feelings about any war our troops deserve honor and respect. During 2007 as the Iraq war seemed bogged down one lady expressed how to approach our troops when she said "I hate the president and I hate this war but these are our young men and they deserve our support!"

In my opinion it is no less true today. Our effort in the Mid-East is feeble at best but mission creep is setting in and there are more "boots on the ground" every day. How are we going to feel when the first pilot is beheaded after being shot down?

Lay that all aside for today and make it your mission, should you choose to accept it, to seek out Vietnam Vets and sincerely tell them "Welcome home!"

That is the way I saw it.

Dick Trail