mrcaptainbob
Platinum Member
If you\'re a veteran....
Thank you for your effort.
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If you're a veteran....
- Thread starter mrcaptainbob
- Start date
- Views: 718
AMP762
Gold Member
Re: If you\'re a veteran....
You sir are quite welcome.
We all know Memorial Day is more than barbeque and pool openings. It is a
time to remember. In 2001 I wrote a column for the Atlanta Journal
Constitution for Memorial Day, here it is below. I can't take much credit,
the insights came from Joe Galloway. But maybe it's worth another read as
Memorial Day approaches.
Terry L. Garlock
SUCH GOOD MEN
I recall TV reports of fellow soldiers arriving at an airport, survivors of
the Vietnam gauntlet, relieved at their 1st step on home ground. Their
grins morphed to astonishment as protesters threw packets of animal blood at
them, shouting "Baby-Killers!" Welcome home.
Joseph Galloway, senior writer for US News & World Report, would differ with
the protestors. Unlike more sensible journalists reporting on the war from
relative comfort and safety, Joe preferred working close up, hot, tired,
hungry, scared, dirty and bloodied along with the men he wrote about.
Joe conned his way into hot spots like the 1965 battle of the Ia Drang
Valley, aka The Valley of Death, where 450 of our men were surrounded by
2,000 well-armed NVA enemy. Over 4 days 234 young Americans died as each
side chopped the other to pieces. In that battle Joe set camera aside to
charge with a Medic through enemy fire in a desperate attempt to help an
injured soldier. The Medic was killed, the soldier later died, and Joe
Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star with V (valor), the 1st civilian ever
to be decorated for valor in combat by the US Army.
Consider some of his remarks at the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
banquet in Washington DC, July 2000.
"What I want to say now is just between us, because America still doesn't
get it, still doesn't know the truth, and the truth is - you are the cream
of the crop of our generation, the best and finest of an entire generation
of Americans."
"You are the ones who answered when you were called to serve. You are the
ones who fought bravely and endured a terrible war in a terrible place. You
are the ones for whom the words duty, honor, country have real meaning
because you have lived those words and the meaning behind those words. You
are my brothers in arms, and I am not ashamed to say that I love you. I
would not trade one of you for a whole trainload of instant Canadians, or a
whole boatload of Rhodes Scholars bound for England, or a whole campus full
of guys who turned up for their draft physicals wearing panty hose."
"On behalf of a country that too easily forgets the true cost of war, and
who pays that price, I say thank you for your service. On behalf of the
people of our country who didn't have good sense enough to separate the war
they hated from the young warriors they sent to fight that war, I say we are
sorry. We owe you all a very large apology, and a debt of gratitude that we
can never adequately repay."
Joe talked about his friend Mike Norman, a Marine who searched out the
survivors of his platoon and wrote a fine book, These Good Men. Mike
explained why we veterans sometimes gather.
"I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell
stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather
because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who
suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their
humanity."
"I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the military.
But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone
such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my
life."
"They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of
the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one
another."
"I am sure that when I leave this world my last thought will be of my family
and my comrades, such good men."
In closing Joe said "I salute you. I remember you. I will teach my sons
the stories and legends about you . . ."
The media forgets that Washington botched the war, but continually portray
veterans as fragile, crazed or trigger-happy. Its about time America
learned what Joe Galloway knows, that we are normal, patriotic citizens,
proud of having served with honor and courage.
Here's to the memory of every one of our brothers who paid the ultimate
price - for his country, for those who sent him to that miserable war while
they enjoyed the comforts of home, for those who dodged, even for those who
insulted our service.
We remember each one, such good men.
This says it all better than I ever could.
Paul
You sir are quite welcome.
We all know Memorial Day is more than barbeque and pool openings. It is a
time to remember. In 2001 I wrote a column for the Atlanta Journal
Constitution for Memorial Day, here it is below. I can't take much credit,
the insights came from Joe Galloway. But maybe it's worth another read as
Memorial Day approaches.
Terry L. Garlock
SUCH GOOD MEN
I recall TV reports of fellow soldiers arriving at an airport, survivors of
the Vietnam gauntlet, relieved at their 1st step on home ground. Their
grins morphed to astonishment as protesters threw packets of animal blood at
them, shouting "Baby-Killers!" Welcome home.
Joseph Galloway, senior writer for US News & World Report, would differ with
the protestors. Unlike more sensible journalists reporting on the war from
relative comfort and safety, Joe preferred working close up, hot, tired,
hungry, scared, dirty and bloodied along with the men he wrote about.
Joe conned his way into hot spots like the 1965 battle of the Ia Drang
Valley, aka The Valley of Death, where 450 of our men were surrounded by
2,000 well-armed NVA enemy. Over 4 days 234 young Americans died as each
side chopped the other to pieces. In that battle Joe set camera aside to
charge with a Medic through enemy fire in a desperate attempt to help an
injured soldier. The Medic was killed, the soldier later died, and Joe
Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star with V (valor), the 1st civilian ever
to be decorated for valor in combat by the US Army.
Consider some of his remarks at the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
banquet in Washington DC, July 2000.
"What I want to say now is just between us, because America still doesn't
get it, still doesn't know the truth, and the truth is - you are the cream
of the crop of our generation, the best and finest of an entire generation
of Americans."
"You are the ones who answered when you were called to serve. You are the
ones who fought bravely and endured a terrible war in a terrible place. You
are the ones for whom the words duty, honor, country have real meaning
because you have lived those words and the meaning behind those words. You
are my brothers in arms, and I am not ashamed to say that I love you. I
would not trade one of you for a whole trainload of instant Canadians, or a
whole boatload of Rhodes Scholars bound for England, or a whole campus full
of guys who turned up for their draft physicals wearing panty hose."
"On behalf of a country that too easily forgets the true cost of war, and
who pays that price, I say thank you for your service. On behalf of the
people of our country who didn't have good sense enough to separate the war
they hated from the young warriors they sent to fight that war, I say we are
sorry. We owe you all a very large apology, and a debt of gratitude that we
can never adequately repay."
Joe talked about his friend Mike Norman, a Marine who searched out the
survivors of his platoon and wrote a fine book, These Good Men. Mike
explained why we veterans sometimes gather.
"I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell
stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather
because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who
suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their
humanity."
"I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the military.
But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone
such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my
life."
"They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of
the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one
another."
"I am sure that when I leave this world my last thought will be of my family
and my comrades, such good men."
In closing Joe said "I salute you. I remember you. I will teach my sons
the stories and legends about you . . ."
The media forgets that Washington botched the war, but continually portray
veterans as fragile, crazed or trigger-happy. Its about time America
learned what Joe Galloway knows, that we are normal, patriotic citizens,
proud of having served with honor and courage.
Here's to the memory of every one of our brothers who paid the ultimate
price - for his country, for those who sent him to that miserable war while
they enjoyed the comforts of home, for those who dodged, even for those who
insulted our service.
We remember each one, such good men.
This says it all better than I ever could.
Paul
OP
mrcaptainbob
Platinum Member
Re: If you\'re a veteran....
Thanks for the fine read, Terry.
Thanks for the fine read, Terry.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Re: If you\'re a veteran....
The cost of admission into some associations is very very high.
Take for instance being a veteran of the Eighteenth Field Artillery C Battery WWII. All it takes to be in that group is to have landed on Omaha, gone through the Battle of The Bulge, and occupation of Germany after it was all over.
Some of those guys were together from thirty eight through forty six. They all know intimately how cold it was during the winter of forty four when the Germans tried to break through, ******'s last gasp. They laugh at the "no Holocaust" theories because of the camp they helped liberate. They talk about smelling the place miles before they came upon it. The stench was that strong.
Labor Day weekend for years has been for us like going to church on Sunday for others. We knew exactly where we'd be and what we'd be doing. We'd be at the reunion of the Eighteenth and those great guys.
Last year it was decided that it was the last one. The numbers were getting smaller as more died off or were incapable of travel. And most importantly Bud was gone.
Bud was Captain Hale. A small framed man with poor health that had been expected to die for years but he just kept hangin on. We suspect for the reunion.
It was forty I believe when a new executive officer for C Battery reported in from college. A small man who'd done his ROTC training and was now reporting in for the active duty part. He was from one of the wealthiest families in Oklahoma, only son.
The Eighteenth still used horses for their howitzers. It was understood the horses were and always would be treated better than the men. This was a time when a First Sergeant was the meanest man in the outfit, had to be. Being tough only got you in. Being tougher meant opportunity but toughest meant promotion.
Unless you were a small framed silver spooned only son from one of the richest families in the known world.
The men stood there in formation his first morning thinking bad thoughts. Another officer that couldn't wipe his butt with both hands, college kid book smart, life stupid, obviously wouldn't make a bump on a real man's butt.
The commanding officer called for a mount to be brought up for the new XO. The men choked back grins when it was brought out. It was the most contrary horse in the whole battalion.
He mounted. Right there in front of God and country the horse exploded seven different directions at once underneath him.
He held on. The horse did everything that had ever worked before to get riders off. Nothing worked. The small framed shavetail lieutenant was stuck on his back like stripes on a skunk.
Their first response was laughter as the horse came apart as the new lieutenant settled into the saddle. Then it got quiet as they realized he might just ride it out as the horse with the little man on his back bolted away. Then applause when they came back with the shavetail in control.
Respect is like love. The real stuff is first given before it can be gotten. Second lieutenant Hale showed respect for the ways of the men he was going to command. He didn't ask for special treatment. He took what they offered as an initiation ritual and passed it with flying colors.
The men knew he might be a small man but he was ever bit as tough as their First Sergeant who was six feet five inches tall and of poor disposition. Notorious for using his fists to enforce his rules, especially after consuming alcohol.
Everyone of the members of C Battery at our Labor Day reunions had stories about Captain Hale, "Bud" to his friends. Like Christmas of forty four when it was so cold and every man in the battery got something for Christmas. It might only be a pack of Juicy Fruit or a cigar. But it was something, a Christmas present, and under the circumstances, a very dear one.
The men of the Eighteenth knew there was only two ways they were going home during the War. One was crippled up or in a box. The second was the War being over. There wasn't being rotated out because you'd been in so many hours of combat or a death or birth back home. You were in until either you or the enemy were defeated.
Price of admission. I will admit to some envy as I sat there listening to the men talk over breakfast or dinner those days. There was a bond far beyond what normal men know in ten lifetimes. It was a select club. Price of admission, one war, total committment, forever or finish, whichever came first.
One of the things that got to me with this group is that the widows picked up on the bond. It wasn't unusual to have five or six widows there to be with those in the whole world who knew their deceased spouse as well if not better than they did.
Two tours of Nam and I can only remember about five or six names on a good day. These guys were in almost three times that with the same group.
Sometimes I think it's less about the politics of the time that has the Nam vets feeling so isolated. I suspect it has a lot to do with the men rotated in and out doing set time tours. Most men rotated in and never really got to develop more than a couple of deep relationships. One might find a close bud but he'd be rotated out six months into your tour and you might not find another really good bud until you only had three months to go.
When folks think of a vet the horrors of combat come to mind. And they wonder how come most vets don't talk about that.
Think of your marriage. We all know you have sex. But do you talk about it?
No.
If you're like most of us that are married you talk about everything else. And for the same reasons, it's too personal, too powerful, and really really hard to explain. So you talk about those other moments that stand out that we know will be appreciated and not need to be explained.
So the next time you feel the need to ask a vet if he killed or was affected by death consider how you'd feel if someone asked you about your sex life with your spouse. Understand it's there but something too personal to go into unless you've been there. And of course if you've been there you don't need to talk about it with someone who hasn't.
I think it was 2001 that I set up a minicam in a conference room and we got about six hours of the vets one on one. We even got the wives talking about their war back home on the videos.
The crowning moment for me was getting Bud to sit down with me on tape.
Two of the guys went out and got him. He sat there across from me pretty put out about being in such a position. Every question was answered with a pat "no" "yes" "what?" or "why would you ask that?"
Then I pointed out to him that about half of his men had gotten out but the rest had stayed in after the War. He was a captain with major his for the asking when he left the service.
I asked him why he left.
Tears came to his eyes. He glared at me for having the gall to ask such a question. "The men" he said. "If I could have kept the same men I would have stayed in forever."
What he couldn't see from where he sat was the eighty somethings standing behind him crying like babies. Heckuva club. But darn the price of admission, a lifetime.
It wasn't until we went to Bud's memorial service that we found out that he was more than some rich guy who had a private plane fly him in for the annual reunion. We found out that the reunion was the big event of the year for him, always. We also found out he was a thirty third degree mason, diamond. And that he was a running buddy of Carl Albert, Speaker of the House of Representatives. And that he was the biggest contributor to all the local causes in southern Oklahoma.
The cost of admission into some associations is very very high.
Take for instance being a veteran of the Eighteenth Field Artillery C Battery WWII. All it takes to be in that group is to have landed on Omaha, gone through the Battle of The Bulge, and occupation of Germany after it was all over.
Some of those guys were together from thirty eight through forty six. They all know intimately how cold it was during the winter of forty four when the Germans tried to break through, ******'s last gasp. They laugh at the "no Holocaust" theories because of the camp they helped liberate. They talk about smelling the place miles before they came upon it. The stench was that strong.
Labor Day weekend for years has been for us like going to church on Sunday for others. We knew exactly where we'd be and what we'd be doing. We'd be at the reunion of the Eighteenth and those great guys.
Last year it was decided that it was the last one. The numbers were getting smaller as more died off or were incapable of travel. And most importantly Bud was gone.
Bud was Captain Hale. A small framed man with poor health that had been expected to die for years but he just kept hangin on. We suspect for the reunion.
It was forty I believe when a new executive officer for C Battery reported in from college. A small man who'd done his ROTC training and was now reporting in for the active duty part. He was from one of the wealthiest families in Oklahoma, only son.
The Eighteenth still used horses for their howitzers. It was understood the horses were and always would be treated better than the men. This was a time when a First Sergeant was the meanest man in the outfit, had to be. Being tough only got you in. Being tougher meant opportunity but toughest meant promotion.
Unless you were a small framed silver spooned only son from one of the richest families in the known world.
The men stood there in formation his first morning thinking bad thoughts. Another officer that couldn't wipe his butt with both hands, college kid book smart, life stupid, obviously wouldn't make a bump on a real man's butt.
The commanding officer called for a mount to be brought up for the new XO. The men choked back grins when it was brought out. It was the most contrary horse in the whole battalion.
He mounted. Right there in front of God and country the horse exploded seven different directions at once underneath him.
He held on. The horse did everything that had ever worked before to get riders off. Nothing worked. The small framed shavetail lieutenant was stuck on his back like stripes on a skunk.
Their first response was laughter as the horse came apart as the new lieutenant settled into the saddle. Then it got quiet as they realized he might just ride it out as the horse with the little man on his back bolted away. Then applause when they came back with the shavetail in control.
Respect is like love. The real stuff is first given before it can be gotten. Second lieutenant Hale showed respect for the ways of the men he was going to command. He didn't ask for special treatment. He took what they offered as an initiation ritual and passed it with flying colors.
The men knew he might be a small man but he was ever bit as tough as their First Sergeant who was six feet five inches tall and of poor disposition. Notorious for using his fists to enforce his rules, especially after consuming alcohol.
Everyone of the members of C Battery at our Labor Day reunions had stories about Captain Hale, "Bud" to his friends. Like Christmas of forty four when it was so cold and every man in the battery got something for Christmas. It might only be a pack of Juicy Fruit or a cigar. But it was something, a Christmas present, and under the circumstances, a very dear one.
The men of the Eighteenth knew there was only two ways they were going home during the War. One was crippled up or in a box. The second was the War being over. There wasn't being rotated out because you'd been in so many hours of combat or a death or birth back home. You were in until either you or the enemy were defeated.
Price of admission. I will admit to some envy as I sat there listening to the men talk over breakfast or dinner those days. There was a bond far beyond what normal men know in ten lifetimes. It was a select club. Price of admission, one war, total committment, forever or finish, whichever came first.
One of the things that got to me with this group is that the widows picked up on the bond. It wasn't unusual to have five or six widows there to be with those in the whole world who knew their deceased spouse as well if not better than they did.
Two tours of Nam and I can only remember about five or six names on a good day. These guys were in almost three times that with the same group.
Sometimes I think it's less about the politics of the time that has the Nam vets feeling so isolated. I suspect it has a lot to do with the men rotated in and out doing set time tours. Most men rotated in and never really got to develop more than a couple of deep relationships. One might find a close bud but he'd be rotated out six months into your tour and you might not find another really good bud until you only had three months to go.
When folks think of a vet the horrors of combat come to mind. And they wonder how come most vets don't talk about that.
Think of your marriage. We all know you have sex. But do you talk about it?
No.
If you're like most of us that are married you talk about everything else. And for the same reasons, it's too personal, too powerful, and really really hard to explain. So you talk about those other moments that stand out that we know will be appreciated and not need to be explained.
So the next time you feel the need to ask a vet if he killed or was affected by death consider how you'd feel if someone asked you about your sex life with your spouse. Understand it's there but something too personal to go into unless you've been there. And of course if you've been there you don't need to talk about it with someone who hasn't.
I think it was 2001 that I set up a minicam in a conference room and we got about six hours of the vets one on one. We even got the wives talking about their war back home on the videos.
The crowning moment for me was getting Bud to sit down with me on tape.
Two of the guys went out and got him. He sat there across from me pretty put out about being in such a position. Every question was answered with a pat "no" "yes" "what?" or "why would you ask that?"
Then I pointed out to him that about half of his men had gotten out but the rest had stayed in after the War. He was a captain with major his for the asking when he left the service.
I asked him why he left.
Tears came to his eyes. He glared at me for having the gall to ask such a question. "The men" he said. "If I could have kept the same men I would have stayed in forever."
What he couldn't see from where he sat was the eighty somethings standing behind him crying like babies. Heckuva club. But darn the price of admission, a lifetime.
It wasn't until we went to Bud's memorial service that we found out that he was more than some rich guy who had a private plane fly him in for the annual reunion. We found out that the reunion was the big event of the year for him, always. We also found out he was a thirty third degree mason, diamond. And that he was a running buddy of Carl Albert, Speaker of the House of Representatives. And that he was the biggest contributor to all the local causes in southern Oklahoma.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Re: If you\'re a veteran....
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice post w_h. You meant Memorial Day, right?)</font>
No. The reunion was always Labor Day.
Of course Memorial Day was for everyone else to celebrate these men and their wives. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice post w_h. You meant Memorial Day, right?)</font>
No. The reunion was always Labor Day.
Of course Memorial Day was for everyone else to celebrate these men and their wives. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Boone
Gold Member
Re: If you\'re a veteran....
My salute to all the Veterans today.
A few years ago I heard on the TV, reports that nobody cared to know about the Veterans anymore like Korea and World War 2. I know this is not true because many of the books passed around where I work are histories of these wars.
My salute to all the Veterans today.
A few years ago I heard on the TV, reports that nobody cared to know about the Veterans anymore like Korea and World War 2. I know this is not true because many of the books passed around where I work are histories of these wars.
