Growing up I was taught that Armistice Day (renamed Veteran’s Day here in the States after WWII) was a day to honor the men who never returned from the trenches of WWI. Each year, I’ve struggled to reconcile my service with the service of those in whose name the national holiday was created for in the first place.
I served in the US Army during peacetime – between Viet Nam and the Gulf War. I never saw combat, although I served with men who did. My enlistment was my way of not going to college. The possibility of dying for my country wasn’t in the equation. When the Iran Hostage Crisis began, just as I was finishing basic training, that possibility became all too evident. While serving in South Korea - Land of the Morning Calm – I saw first hand what student unrest was. In a foriegn country, we US soldiers looked out for one another and the bonds formed last to this day.
As you pause today to remember those that have, are or will serve our nation in military uniform, I’ll remain grateful to have served with men like SFC Herbert Mitchell, SSG Keith Barrett and SGT Edward Owens. To my friends Bob Deo, Ross Vumbaco, Herald Miller and Frank Dame, I thank you for your service. To my husband Bill: 30 years ago and 7,000 miles from home we served together and I thank God every day for that. And as for my service - OK, it counts.
4 comments:
What a great story. While I was in I heard many of the same stories, people looking to pay bills or escape home troubles, not usually thinking of the danger they might happen to be part of. Herald Miller is my father and I'm glad that you knew him. He's a great guy. I even followed in his and my mother's footsteps and joined the Army, even winding up in one of his old units. I ended up in Kuwait, a "safe place" in my eyes compaired to where so many others were. I never fired my rifle off the range and only wore my battle gear because they told us we had to. I always downplay my role in the service and more than 1 person has told me to not sell myself short on what I did, or did not, do. I've learned there is more to serving than wheither or not you were in a combat zone; it's the pride you feel in knowing that you were there and ready when called.
I had the pleasure of being at two duty stations with your dad. Your dad was one of my protectors. He will forever hold a place in my heart that no other soul could fill and I will always call him brother.
It pained your dad to be so far away from you while he was in Korea. I'm grateful I had an opportunity to see the joy in his face as he watched you scamper around the room at Ft. Hood.
Thank you for your service.
Peg - And I thank you for serving our country. I wish that it were in my makeup to be so brave. With my love and gratitude...Davetta
Davetta - Your welcome. As far as bravery is concerned, give yourself some credit, friend. It takes someone with great strength to walk into a room full of teenagers and get them to grasp math. Thank you for choosing educatiion as your vocation.
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