OUR FALLEN HEROES
It is always a sad time to see a mission posted on the National Patriot Guard Watch List or Confirmed Mission List as it means another American Hero has given their life in the service of their country. Perhaps it is sadder yet to have taken 9/11, followed by the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, to wake America up to the sacrifices given by our military for our freedom.
Since the end of WWII the sacrifices made for our freedom, in all the wars, conflicts or whatever they may be called, have grossly been over looked or minimized in the collective conscious of this nation. Everyone just went about their daily business as if nothing was happening, no one was dying for this country, our freedom and way of life.
Yes, people talked about the various wars and how we should not be in them; they put stickers and magnets of support on their vehicles but when a service member died only the family and perhaps a few friends attended the funerals. There was, of course, a brief mention in the news media, perhaps, but nothing more. Yet, if a national football player or basket ball play died, the world heard of it.
If a president got caught with his pants down, the world heard of it. If a movie star was involved in a drug bust the world heard of it. How sad it is that all this makes national news and people flock to the funerals, trials or what have you, for these people and those events but few show up to honor a young kid who has given his/her life for this country.
Of all the scandals this government goes through, of all the negative publicity our corporations, government, movie stars, sports figures, politicians and even criminals receive, why is it that when a Medal of Honor recipient dies no one, except the immediate family and, perhaps those in the heroes community, hears of it?
Today, due to the Patriot Guard our military heroes are receiving the attention and showing of respect that they should have always received by the people of this nation. And, once again, here we have the nations most despised warriors, the Vietnam Vets, leading the way. Does that seem strange to you? Would one ever think that a Vietnam vet could or would still love this country and show so much respect for its flag and its warriors after they were treated upon their return from Vietnam?
Thousands of Vietnam vets proudly wear the Patriot Guard patch, and proudly ride for respect for our fallen heroes, although, it deeply hurts them to do so as it brings back so many memories of times passed when only a few of them gathered together to bury one of their own from the Vietnam War.
It is for their courage, determination, and honor that I am proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and ride beside my brothers and sisters from that war to honor the warriors of all wars, this nation and its flag wearing the patch of the Patriot Guard.
THE NATIONAL COLORS - OUR FLAG
Having received several emails recently speaking about the flying of our National Colors on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, I would like to take this opportunity to express my feelings on this issue.
It troubles me that we hear of such things as displaying our National Colors, via emails, when an anniversary such as 9/11 is noted, or the event of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, the 4th of July or other patriotic events, yet, very seldom do we hear enthusiastic pleas for such showing of patriotism at other times. It reminds me of political rallies when the candidate stands up and speaks of promises to be honored if elected and then, once in office, are quickly forgotten.
To me is smack of grand-standing. What about all those days when some special occasion is not to be marked by colorful display of our National Colors? Do we forget the meaning of our flag until such time as some special event is about to unfold, thus, we unfold our flag?
My feeling is that our National Flag should be flown daily by all Americans who reap the bounties of freedom gained from the sacrifices of those who fought, and perhaps died, under that beautiful waving symbol of our nation.
I have seen flags for football teams, hockey teams and other sports organizations, and flags of all descriptions being flown from poles in the yards, or from the houses of people across this country, but noticeably absence, at least to me, has been the waving beauty of our stars and stripes. I guess it was not a holiday when I drove by these homes.
My feeling is simply this, if you are proud to be an American, are joyful in the freedom you enjoy, support your nation and it's people, have respect for our military and veterans who secured you right to fly a flag, then fly the National Colors daily with pride and respect.
AMERICA’S VIETNAM WAR SURVIVING DEAD
It seems like a thousand years,
Yet, like only yesterday,
That we roamed a jungle hell,
In search of an illusive, human prey.
It wasn’t as if they were human,
We were taught the enemy was the ultimate prey,
And the adrenalin rush of close combat
Caused us to act as if insane.
We didn’t realize it then,
Some of us wouldn’t for years,
That our future would be filled with days of anger,
Our nights with cold, sweating fears.
We’ve reached out for a helping hand,
Just hoping to be understood,
But on deaf ears our words have fallen
Our government does not stand by us as it promised it would.
In hyper-vigilance our days are spent,
Starting at sudden noises, panicking in large groups,
Forever looking over our shoulders,
We still search for those illusive enemy troops.
Perhaps to die in combat,
Would for us have been best,
Rather than enduring the pain of hell’s memories,
We pray for a mere moments rest.
We suffer within and in silence,
Not really trusting anyone,
Many who could not bear the pain alone,
Eventually swallowed the barrel of a gun.
When will it end,
Can anyone truly tell,
Will we ever know peace and joy again,
After spending almost a life time in our minds hell.
Until our final day comes,
It’s not dieing but living that we dread,
As we aimlessly wonder through out life time,
America’s Vietnam War surviving dead.
Written for those who know the pain and suffering of PTSD
By: Rocky, il grigio lobo
173rd Airborne Brigade
Charlie Co. 75th Inf. Airborne Rangers
27 Nov. 1997
Patriotism, Military Service and It's Effect
Patriotism can take many forms of expression. Some people serve in the military armed forces. Some people due to health, or other reasons, can not serve in the military, but may find other ways to serve their country and it's people.
This blog will address, for the most part, the military. It will address issues effecting the men and women on active duty with today's military and the veterans of this country who servered their country via the military in peactime and in war. In the post here issues such as veteran's benefits, disability claims and other areas effecting the service members and their families. Much attention will be given the conditions related to Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an issue that effects the lives of both veterans of today's war as well as those who served in past wars. Perhaps the single most devestating condition causing destruction in the lives of those who served in the military is PTSD.
Issues related to women serving in the military will, also, be dealt with in this blog. Women now serving in today's military are faced with various situations never before experienced by women serving in the military, i.e. actual combat roles and the results thereof.
Families of veterans and active duty personel will, also, be a topic of this blog. Familes of service members face far reaching difficulties today, more than any time in our history. Mothers as well as fathers are now being sent off to war and many are returning physically and mentally disabled. This is something that effects the entire family, especially the children, in more devestating ways then when it was the father alone who returned from war a different person mentally and, perhaps, physically. This reality is one that effects not only the family but the VA and other government agencies and entire communities. This is an issue that, in the long run, will have a marked effect on our nation as a whole.
It is hoped that this blog will create an atmosphere of discussion to resolve issues rather than create new ones. This country needs solutions to the problems facing it today as regards the creation of more and more military veterans with each passing conflict or war. The War On Terrorism has no definded end, thus, our nation will continue to create Combat Veterans, those faced with more far reaching problms than is normally found in those veterans who serve in peacetime.
This blog is not about argument, political fighting. Everyone is entitled to their belief, free to voice their opinion, to hold any political affilitation they desire, to be for or against the war in Iraq or any other war. No one shall be silenced here and all can speak freely. However, it is requested that we place our attentions and engeries on solutions to issues, way to help each other and find ways to assist each other in a time when life is growing more difficult.
