4/18/2007
The Meaning of Things
Red2Alpha says,
The licence plate frame on my car says:
EARN YOUR FREEDOM
SERVE YOUR COUNTRY
Aside from the CIB and Jump Wings stickers on my rear window you would never know I’m a vet. Back in JR high I first became aware of just what a CIB, Combat Infantrymen’s Badge meant. Growing up I went through phases of my military education, all of my own making. First were outlandish ideas brought on by the Star Wars movies, later Buck Rogers and Star Blazers. I had an idea of what it was like to be in an military at war, fighting for some bigger ideal than myself. I was six or seven at the time. Being a boy in America I was born into a culture that fought for things, the rights of people to live fulling lives free of oppression. My first real concept of war, real war, was hatched in 2nd Grade when I watched the movie Kelly’s Heroes with my mom and dad on a Sunday night. Strange, maybe, but that prompted me to learn about WWII.As I grew older I learned more and more about WWII, I strove to become an ‘expert’ in WWII knowledge, beyond my teachers. I wanted to stun older people with my knowledge of that war. Out of that I learned about the Korean War and Vietnam. I read everything I could get my young hands on about all those wars, the battles, the men, the costs. When I reached High School I was more qualified to teach the subjects then any of my teachers. (Believe me, I had huge battles with my history teachers about the wars. They must have hated this punk ass kid talking down to them about the wars Americans had fought.)
Early in 7th grade I met a man named Pete. Pete was a three tour Vietnam Vet. He first served in the 196th Light Infantry and later in the 1st CAV. He is one of my heroes. This kind man that would talk to me for hours about his war, he took time for a young boy, a boy that thought that war was cool and honorable, full of glory, all my stupid questions and ideas. He always had time for me even though he had his own children. Pete and I went shooting together, went on camping trips, and shared books. And, not for one moment, did he bullshit me about war. Pete is the man that showed me what a Combat Infantrymen’s Badge looked liked and, more importantly, what it meant.
What does it mean, you might ask? It means that the recipient has been in combat with the enemy. He has received and exchanged fire with the enemy. He has fought the foes of his country. He had defended those ideas that the Founding Father set forth. Freedom, Liberty, Justice. He has faced fear and pain, darkness and hate, and stood up to those things. He is an honorable citizen and worthy of respect. I have earned that badge. Pete also taught me what a Purple Heart means. A man that has gone beyond all that. He has bleed for all those things. He has risked his life for thing beyond himself, nearly died, or did die for The Cause.
With my simple licence plate frame I have been saluted and cursed for my ideas. One evening I watched a mother and daughter read my frame in the rear view mirror read my message, their lips moving in the glass. The daughters face showed confusion until the mother told her what it meant. Both waved and smiled when they passed thanking me for my service. Others have flipped me the bird. Fuck them.
However, I cannot imagine a person defiling a man’s vehicle because of his Purple Heart plates. I know those people are out there, but it saddens me to think of that response to a man, my friend A.S., that has given up so much for this country. How low must you be to do that to a person that has fought for your freedom? Fought to keep you safe? Maybe you don’t like the war, hell, I don’t, but respect the man that stands up and fights for the right for you to disagree with it. Without men like A.S. we would all be much poorer, be in such misery that we could not imagine. Afraid to talk openly, afraid of death from a tyrannical government, faced with cold concrete rooms filled blood and fear.
It makes me sad to think of those things, not just for A.S. but for all the good men and women that have died for us, through out the growing of this country, through all the discord and struggles, the strife. All those that has brought us to this wonderful place. As Major Michael O’Donnell said,” gentle heroes you left behind.”
“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you love them, though you may or may not have always.Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.“
– Major Michael O’Donnell, January 1, 1970, Dak To, Vietnam
MAJ O’Donnell was a helicopter pilot that went missing in action on March 24, 1970 during a rescue attempt. His remains were returned in 1995 and identified in 2001.
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13 Responses to “The Meaning of Things”
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We have had so much that for many, they have gotten spoiled. Just as a child that is given everything they have wanted, they fail to realize the sacrifices that have gone into the ability to have all their needs and wants met. In our desire to provide the best for the next generation, many have failed to either teach or pass on the costs of such action. Men (and women) have fought and died for each of us so that all of us have the ability to pass on to our children the same rights and freedoms we have enjoyed.
Unfortunately, there are those out there who are spoiled, there are those who are very narcissistic, there are those who will not understand (do not understand) that the freedoms they have (to even curse soldiers) are brought about by the very people they demean and curse.
They are spoiled little kids who have never really grown up. They want their way and if you don’t get it they will have a hissy fit. They will get mad, try to hold their breath in, and basically act like a little brat when things don’t go their way. The problem is that these mental midgets have the size and the hatred to make it dangerous for not only our military but those who hold a value system that is dear and hold to our freedoms and rights.
One other slight problem, these people vote, and every time they do, we all loose more of our freedoms.
Red2, you, like me loved WWII. My question to you is that do you see any parallels between the actions of the Liberals in this country and the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany? Liberals seem to have a great interest in Nazism, and was wondering if many of their actions and legislation is reminisced of early Germany?
Red2Alpha;
Shakespeare - King Henry V - Act 4 - Scene 3: The english Camp.
The king is talking to his troops the evening before the battle of Agincourt. His whole speech here is probably the best pep-talk ever, but the last line: “And gentlemen in England now a-bed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here; and hold their manhoods cheap, while any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day”, says it all and answers your question, I think.
Thanks you, stay well and don’t let the bastards grind you down.
“SERVING”, or patriotism does NOT mean only fighting and killing for the government. Patriotism means DISSENT, criticism of government policies that run counter to the founding principles of the USA. When the government does NOT practice real democracy of listening to the desires of the PEOPLE then SERVING is more appropriately ….an act of Civil Disobedience not fighting to support the government.
For Multiguy: Patriotism
Noun: patriotism ‘peytreeu`tizum [N. Amer], ‘patreeu`tizum [Brit]
Love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it.
What sir, have you sacrificed in all your dissent and criticism?
Lead, follow or get out of the way!!
Phyllis, “to SERVE”, a VERB also meaning, Stand up to your government when they do not follow the will of the people or partake in high crimes and misdemeanors. We have lying weasels running the show. Where you been the last 5 years?
FALSE Patriotism, a descriptive noun, meaning supporting government polices that stand for principles that are against what America was founded on, what it stands for and blind assent to government policies that run counter to the will of the people.
Red2Alpha, Thank you for your service. If I saw a license plate frame like that, I’d do what the mother and daughter did.
It makes me mad that people will treat our veterans the way you and AS have been treated.
When people flip you off R2A, remember that time the woman paid for your breakfast at Denny’s. There are many more people like her in this world.
The Armed Forces serve the People of the United States.
The people of the United States no longer support Bush or his debacle in Iraq. It is our right as Americans to make this choice.
John, does that mean it’s okay for people to go around flipping the bird to those who have served? What is the point in that?
No matter what you believe about the war, you should have respect for those that serve.
oops hit submit too early. I have a tendency to do that, not good. Gotta proofread.
Having respect for those that serve can be as simple as what that mom and daughter did (and R2A, my sons and I would have done the same).
I prefer to do more and write soldiers and send soldiers packages, etc. I let them know I support them AND their mission. Brings up morale much better than constantly hearing that they are not supported. Why do you come to a soldiers blog and constantly write these comments? What is the point?
Damn John reminds me of those One Utah morons. My thoughts are this, unless you’ve served our country in some way John, be that military, law enforcement, etc, then what right do you have to criticize the ones who have? You don’t… you’ve NOT earned that right. I hear you people all the time saying that America no longer supports the war, but from where I’m sitting and the things I’m hearing there are a WHOLE lot of people who support our troops AND their mission!
Terri–I agree with you 100%! Until you have actually been there and seen what is going on with your own eyes, or heard a first hand account from someone who has been there, instead of hearing it from biased media, you really cannot speak truthfully about it. I am the daughter of a Viet Nam vetran who was treated like a criminal when he came home from the war. I am also the Wife a Soldier who was in Iraq ‘03-’04. Luckily, we have yet to be cussed at, or to have our possessions vandalized. We have actually had some pretty amazing things said to us and done for us. For example, We were standing in line at a restaurant waiting for our take out order. They forgot to put our order in and we were waiting for a long time. An Arabic gentleman was standing just behind us in line. My husband was wearing his Army leather jacket. The gentleman asked if my husband had been to Iraq, and I cringed thinking this would be the time that my husband would be rediculed. But, to my amazement, he shook my husband’s hand, told him Thank You for your service and put money on the counter for our bill. I got tears in my eyes, looked at him and said Thank You. My husband was amazed. That is not the first time someone has gone out of their way to Thank him. We have had people follow us out of stores and run after us just to Thank him for his service. Our first Christmas together, a family pulled in his driveway and asked to speak to the serviceman who had just gotten back from the war. They handed him a card said Thank You and drove away. Inside the card was a gift certificate and some of the sweetest words I have ever read.
The reason I have just babbled on is this response by John Ryan:
The Armed Forces serve the People of the United States.
The people of the United States no longer support Bush or his debacle in Iraq. It is our right as Americans to make this choice.
It is NOT true that the “people of the United States no longer support the War in Iraq.” I believe that you, sir, are part of the minority. Even if it were true, it still does not give anyone the right to deface someone’s car, or spit on them, or whatever other nasty things you anti-war, radical left idiots feel compelled to do.
AS, I am SO sorry this happened to you. You did not deserve such digusting treatment. You deserve honor, and respect for your service. Please know that I have the utmost respect for you, and Thank You from the bottom of my heart for your service. You and all of our brave service men & women, are my Heroes.
You guys sound like a bunch of flag shirt wearin mid western Hillbillies. I’ve served this country overseas in the Army and I’m a police officer. And I say John is right. Corporate greed runs this country. The worlds perception of the U.S is declining, and we continue to play World Police. Fuck that!! We need to bring home our troops and get that piece of shit Bush out of office. Iraq is a mess and sending more troops over there is sending more sheep to the slaughter. It doesn’t matter how long the troops are over there, once we pull out there’s going to be a Civil War in Iraq. We have enough problems here in the states to continue worrying about Iraq.
I can’t seem to find the words to describe what exactly it is I want to to express my gratitude to all the servicemen/women out there fighting for freedom. I live in Windsor, Ontario, Canada(the southern most part of Canada&neighbour of Detroit), and this area is considered one of the most “Americanized ” in Canada-we watch American television-and therefor, get all of the news obout the US. Trust me, all you soldiers and servicmen have the utmost respect and admiration from Canada-though your government may not-as we who live in border cities benefit from the “safety shield” that you in the states provide for us. We are eternally grateful for your heroism and courage and the bravery that is your life. All soldiers-Canadian and American-are and will always be considered our family. For all families that are directly affected by having a soldier in their family tree-God bless and keep you safe.