My Salute
I was at the local comedy club a few days ago and something that had never happened to me before, happened. Before I explain the event I should give you some background information to setup my experience.
Since the Gulf War started I have seen many displays of patriotism and many people extending the thanks to our military for the sacrifices they give for our freedom. Let us never forget what they have done for us, especially those who have given everything. I stand and salute all of our military to thank them for their service.
I enlisted and proudly served in the US Army for 9 years. I was a Combat Engineer assigned to places around the country as well as Japan, the Marshall Islands (middle of the Pacific Ocean) and Germany. I also rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, something I am very proud of. The final piece of this puzzle is that I am a Vietnam Era Vet. Although I did not serve in Viet Nam, the US Army decided I was needed elsewhere, but since I served during the Vietnam Conflict (okay, it was a war), I am entitled to be call a Vietnam Era Vet.
Upon coming home from Overseas, both from Japan and the Marshall Islands which were during the Vietnam War, I was met with protesters yelling everything possible to me from “baby killers” to “warmongers”, and badgering me in my face with hundreds of questions full with hate. Upon arriving home I quickly changed from my uniform. Upon visiting my friends, many repeated the same comments the protesters made.
I lost friends because of my service and I was afraid to mention to others that I am in the service. I made it a point to always need a haircut upon going on leave to at least try not to appear so military when out in the civilian population. But regardless of the general option about the military and the Vietnam War, I was, and still am, proud to serve.
As time went on I felt like one of the forgotten soldiers. I met with other soldiers and we celebrated our service quietly and outside of the eyes of everybody else. We saluted our friends who served and those who did not come back. We supported one another.
Over time we were forgotten, and we forgot ourselves. The hate for the war faded with time as other problems of the world replaced those of South East Asia. A new generation came along with a new set of wars in the Gulf, and the patriotic call was made, and America answered.
I believe movies helped stir the patriotic call for the Gulf War. Movies such as “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan” showed the horrors of war, but also showed the necessity of sacrifice to protect our freedoms. People were reminded of our greatest generation, those of World War II, where everybody supported our effort, and I saw friends and family, in fact an entire nation, standing behind our military as they performed the tasks they were given. A new generation with a new understanding has emerged.
Now this brings us full circle to where I am today. As I said, I was visiting the local comedy club and the performer asked all veterans to stand. I was one of a handful in that packed room who stood and received the applause of the crowd. The Performer (a comic and musician) thanked us for our service and played a song for us, a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, Jimi Hendrix style.
Until that day, no one, not one single person, has thanked me for my service. I shall not forget that day. And I ask all of you never to forget to thank our military and anybody who puts their live on the line to keep America safe.
To my family who has served, I thank you. To my friends who have served, I thank you. To people I do not know who have served, I thank you. To the families to those who did not come home, I thank you for your sacrifice, and to my friends that did not come home, I will never forget you.
Since the Gulf War started I have seen many displays of patriotism and many people extending the thanks to our military for the sacrifices they give for our freedom. Let us never forget what they have done for us, especially those who have given everything. I stand and salute all of our military to thank them for their service.
I enlisted and proudly served in the US Army for 9 years. I was a Combat Engineer assigned to places around the country as well as Japan, the Marshall Islands (middle of the Pacific Ocean) and Germany. I also rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, something I am very proud of. The final piece of this puzzle is that I am a Vietnam Era Vet. Although I did not serve in Viet Nam, the US Army decided I was needed elsewhere, but since I served during the Vietnam Conflict (okay, it was a war), I am entitled to be call a Vietnam Era Vet.
Upon coming home from Overseas, both from Japan and the Marshall Islands which were during the Vietnam War, I was met with protesters yelling everything possible to me from “baby killers” to “warmongers”, and badgering me in my face with hundreds of questions full with hate. Upon arriving home I quickly changed from my uniform. Upon visiting my friends, many repeated the same comments the protesters made.
I lost friends because of my service and I was afraid to mention to others that I am in the service. I made it a point to always need a haircut upon going on leave to at least try not to appear so military when out in the civilian population. But regardless of the general option about the military and the Vietnam War, I was, and still am, proud to serve.
As time went on I felt like one of the forgotten soldiers. I met with other soldiers and we celebrated our service quietly and outside of the eyes of everybody else. We saluted our friends who served and those who did not come back. We supported one another.
Over time we were forgotten, and we forgot ourselves. The hate for the war faded with time as other problems of the world replaced those of South East Asia. A new generation came along with a new set of wars in the Gulf, and the patriotic call was made, and America answered.
I believe movies helped stir the patriotic call for the Gulf War. Movies such as “Band of Brothers” and “Saving Private Ryan” showed the horrors of war, but also showed the necessity of sacrifice to protect our freedoms. People were reminded of our greatest generation, those of World War II, where everybody supported our effort, and I saw friends and family, in fact an entire nation, standing behind our military as they performed the tasks they were given. A new generation with a new understanding has emerged.
Now this brings us full circle to where I am today. As I said, I was visiting the local comedy club and the performer asked all veterans to stand. I was one of a handful in that packed room who stood and received the applause of the crowd. The Performer (a comic and musician) thanked us for our service and played a song for us, a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, Jimi Hendrix style.
Until that day, no one, not one single person, has thanked me for my service. I shall not forget that day. And I ask all of you never to forget to thank our military and anybody who puts their live on the line to keep America safe.
To my family who has served, I thank you. To my friends who have served, I thank you. To people I do not know who have served, I thank you. To the families to those who did not come home, I thank you for your sacrifice, and to my friends that did not come home, I will never forget you.
posted by Bob Ackerman at 9:54 AM
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