My Grandfather fought in World War II, my father fought in Vietnam. I served during the Gulf War. While I can’t speak for all veterans, I can share my own insight. Serving in the military is one of the hardest things a person can do. You agree to give up your personal freedom to protect the freedom of your countrymen. You learn to “hurry up and wait.” You understand what SNAFU (Situation Normal All F@#&ed Up) means and learn to survive FUBAR (F@#&ed Up Beyond All Reason). You follow orders and complete tasks, no excuses, you just figure out a way to get the job done. You learn to work and live in controlled (and uncontrolled) chaos. Your become brothers (and sisters) with people from all walks of life. You don’t serve for recognition, when someone thanks me for my service, I don’t know how to respond. I appreciate the sentiment, but I served because it was what I believed in.
My Grandfather fought the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands in WWII. The conditions were unbearable, no cover, just cold hard tundra. He used to say, if the Japanese bullets didn’t get you, the cold would. Supplies were always delayed, and frostbite was always a problem. He won’t tell you he loved his time in service, but every year he and old battalion would get to together. He used to say they were his brothers.
My father’s experience in Vietnam was rough. He rarely talks about it. I can’t imagine what it was like to serve in such terrible conditions and come home to people calling you names, protesting, when you were trying to do your duty. How it must have felt to know some of your friends didn’t make it home, and to hear these “protestors” calling you and your friends names. He had planned on making a career out of the military, he was the first officer in our family, but after Vietnam he decided to leave the military. I suspect a lot people did as he did; we lost a lot of really good people both on the battle field and off.
I’ve been fortunate to volunteer with the city of Lake Forest’s adopted First Law Enforcement Battalion Support Committee. The first event I was at, talking with the marines brought back a wave of memories and emotions. These people are awesome! They are grateful for the little things, a free soda or a hot dog. Listening to them reminded me of my time in the service. Times change, but a soldier’s life, no matter what service or where you serve seems to be the same, you hope for SNAFU, but are ready for FUBAR.
It reminded me of my own time in the service. Life was hard serving, yes we complained to each other. We commiserated in our SNAFU life, while we embraced the chaos. But we were a family, probably a dysfunctional family, but one with fierce love for each other. Like every family, we had our differences, we argued, played pranks and supported each other when bad things happened. Bad things happen a lot, and on a scale most people cannot even fathom. We had fun together, made the best of tough situations, and always had each other’s back. We all had a sense of duty, when it came time to perform, we were ready and capable. You didn’t mess with our family.
I suspect most veterans, and active duty personnel have similar emotions and pride. I couldn’t wait to get out when I served, but after over 25 years since I got out, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my old shipmates, and the times we shared both good and bad. Inside I’m proud of my service, but I don’t need thanks, I’m thankful to those who serve now, and have assumed the watch from me and my brothers. I would prefer people support those serving now, they are working harder than you can imagine protecting what we often take for granted. They are given little, and asked to do more than any normal person should be capable of doing, yet they do it. I have been blessed with a wonderful life, an amazing wife and great kids and a good job. Not all veterans are as blessed as I am, so I would also ask that you support those veterans in need. It doesn’t take much, and little goes a long way for these heroes.
So, today, I’d like to thank all of my fellow veterans, and especially thank you to those who are currently serving.
