VFW Commander Leads Tribute to Heroes

The “friendly fire” massacre at Fort Hood evoked horror from all who heard about it, but none more so than the veterans gathered for the VFW Veterans’ Breakfast on Sunday, November 8. 

As he looked around the room at those gathered – some in uniform and some in suits, all looking sharp in their Sunday best - Post Commander Mike Chmiel asked the chaplain to open with a moment of silence for the fallen at Fort Hood.  Everyone from the dignitaries on the dais to the ladies from the auxiliary, busily setting out platters of piping hot food, stood motionless, heads bowed.

For most Americans, Veterans’  Day means a day off from work or school, and possibly a trip to the mall to take advantage of holiday sales.  For our nation’s veterans, its meaning goes much deeper.  For Chmiel, it is a bittersweet holiday, a day to honor fallen brethren and also to take comfort in the camaraderie of those who live on.

Drafted in 1967, Chmiel served in the army at the height of the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.  Stationed in Danang, he saw things he never thought he’d see, and knew he’d never forget.  Going “in-country,” thirty miles into the demilitarized zone, where fighting was at its bloodiest, he saw young men cut down in their prime.  As hard as it was to serve in the military during a time of war, it was equally hard returning home and being ignored, even vilified by some.

“When we came back from Vietnam, (there was) no parade or welcome back," he said. "We got nothing; we just got back into the workforce.  In the army, I drove a tank, and at 21 years old, I was in command.  Then at 22, you’re done and it’s right back to ‘real life.’ You turn in your uniform; they give you a plane ticket.  (You’re) just supposed to figure it out."

Even though there was no welcome mat laid out when he returned from Vietnam, Chmiel says Cranford residents these days are supportive of their hometown veterans.

“We’ve got a great Memorial Day Parade in town…The streets are lined with people cheering. It just makes you happy," he said. "When you walk down the street and the people (express this kind of appreciation), you can’t help it:  you have tears in your eyes.”

As indelible as the war experience was to Chmiel, he counts himself lucky that he suffered no permanent injury.

“Guys are coming back from Iraq with brain injuries, missing limbs, and going to the VA (Veterans’ Administration.)  The (VA) hospitals are filling up, with all the GIs that are wounded.”

Parallels to the Vietnam War may be drawn with the potential for an escalation of troops to Afghanistan.  But the current conflicts are dramatically different, says Chmiel:

“When we were there, we faced an enemy…Korea, Vietnam.  It was clear.  Nowadays, (with) these wars, you don’t even see who you’re fighting," he said. "They set roadside bombs to ambush you.  It’s a different world, and a different war.”

Despite the trauma of having gone to war, Chmiel still holds true to his allegiance to the military.

"Years ago, we all got drafted; now they enlist.  The guy next to you could be a farmer, could be college-educated," he said. "(You’ve got to respect) the grunt who just puts his life on the line.  The army still builds men.  If you were a mama’s boy going in, you’re a man coming out.  It builds character.”

Through his work as commander of the VFW, Chmiel hopes to remind the world of the sacrifices made by American soldiers and to inspire action.

“VFW has a great lobby(ing arm) in Washington, DC, opening eyes," he said. "We have to do more for these (returning soldiers), putting themselves on the line for us, all over the world."

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