FWIW ......
I used to be "All about the warbird's". Couldn't get enough of seeing warbird's flying around. Couldn't look at enough "Airplane Magazines" growing up. Love the power and the noise, but cared little for the history and I rarely thought about what they really were designed to do. I rarely thought about what damage they did to where ever they were being used, both on the enemy and towards the pilots who flew them, but over these many years of digging and studying, I feel like I'm starting to feel the effects of what it was like to endure certain elements of that war. Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly NOT stating I feel the effects a combat veteran felt or feels. It's nothing like that at all. What I feel is a much better understanding of the sense of loss and sacrifice many of these veterans endured then and now. I'm grateful that I've been forcing myself to dig much deeper into that horrible war and what it actually has done to the world. I have learned by my own hard digging that ANY WAR and any reason for War should never be an option at all costs. I'm sure most of us feel the same way.
No one, and I mean no one who has ever served their country in a combat situation ever comes back home the same person, never, ever the same. I've seen this several times now over my recent years. I have been doing my small part to try to help veterans who need someone to talk to. My phone number is always available and my time is always available to any veteran who would ever want to just chat. I'm by no means a counselor, therapist or authority on mental health, PTSD, combat experiences, etc., but I do have great ears for listening and nothings off limits to me for listening to anyone who needs just to talk to someone.
I loved flying with my dad and listening to his war experiences. But he only talked about the airplanes he flew and never much about the war he flew them in. I loved flying with him so much I became a pilot myself, but only now that he has been gone for a few years do I greatly regret not being interested in his life as a US Navy pilot. I feel that there were plenty of times I could have had lengthy conversations with him, and he was very willing to talk about all of it, but both I had no interest and he most likely felt no one wanted to hear about it anyway. Tragically a shame on my part.
As I got older I started to become more interested in my father's service so I started to research his career. He told me very little about it when he was alive, so I had to piece it together without him. Needless to say he had a relatively mild career when he was flying Hellcats and Corsairs. He felt some heat in the Pacific while on the US Carrier Franklin in 1944, but other than that, he had mostly mild times. He lost a few friends during the war, but other than a broken thumb cranking up a wildcat's landing gear, he didn't suffer a scratch as far as I can tell.
It was not until I was a grown man and started my research that I found out my father lost his brother (my uncle) during the Battle of the Bulge. I never knew any of this growing up as dad didn't tell me how he died. My father had a private 'dark side' to him that I recall noticing from time to time growing up and I never knew how to explain it. I know now though. My mother also had a very dark side growing up that I didn't understand. She also lost a brother (my uncle) during the Battle of the Bulge. He was KIA as well. Both Uncles were KIA 40 miles apart ten days apart. They never knew each other as far as I know. One was 20 and the other was 23. Just kids.
I've lost two veteran friends recently to suicide. We were only phone and email friends, but friends never the less. I won't mention their names as it's not my place to do so, but I've been struggling lately with guilt that I couldn't do more to help them. Both were distant from me as they lived in other parts of the country and I introduced them to WIX. I thought maybe they would be interested in the old airplanes like many of us are and both had told me over the past couple of years that they liked my threads and to keep it up. I promised them I would.
I've never felt a close consequence of loss from War. I wasn't born yet when my two uncles were KIA, but although we all have demon's we struggle with, and God knows I have my own, this sense of loss is really tough to deal with. I know I could have done more but I didn't. I should have. I invited both to come stay at my house for a while if they wanted. Both always turned me down. I didn't do enough and that I know for sure. I'm feel selfish for feeling sorry for myself when there's two families that are most likely devastated and suffering. I don't know the families and I'm not sure if down the road I should try to contact them. I certainly don't want to bring any additional pain their way.
To sum this long, drawn out, most likely boring post. I'll list something that I've been trying to do. It's just food for thought and I am in no way trying to encourage anyone here on WIX to do more. I'm sure many of you are helping veterans much more that I ever could.
Here are nine ideas:
1. Give a veteran a ride
Medical care may be needed for some veterans for the rest of their lives. Disabled American Veterans provides free transportation to men and women who can't travel to Veterans Affairs medical facilities on their own. You can volunteer to drive a van for those who need a lift.
2. Donate frequent flier miles
The Fisher House Foundation has a network of homes on the grounds of military and VA hospitals around the country. These homes help family members be close during the hospitalization of a loved one for a combat injury, illness or disease. Fisher House operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flier miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. You can also volunteer or donate household items.
3. Sponsor a companion dog for veterans with PTSD
More than a third of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have or will experience post-traumatic stress disorder. And veterans of past wars are still dealing with the ghosts of their time in the service. Coping with PTSD can put stress on not just veterans but also their families and friends. Puppies Behind Bars is a program in which prisoners train companion dogs for veterans with PTSD. Donors can sponsor a dog and receive updates on the dog's training and life with its veteran. (If you know a veteran dealing with PTSD, the VA offers the PTSD Coach Online to help veterans learn to manage symptoms, come up with ways to cope and find professional help.)
4. Help build a home for severely injured vets
Severely injured veterans often come home needing a place to live that better accommodates their physical disabilities. Building Homes for Heroes builds specially modified homes for veterans that help them live independently. These homes are provided at no cost to the veterans. The organization also provides financial planning services.
5. Keep veterans off the streets
In times of war, exhausted combat units were removed from the battlefield to "stand down" in a place of relative security to rest. The Department of Veterans Affairs' Stand Down program is designed to help homeless veterans "combat" life on the streets. Stand Downs are usually one- to three-day events to provide food, shelter, clothing and health screenings to homeless and unemployed veterans. To find a Stand Down program in your community, contact your local VA hospital in the VA Medical Center Directory. A phone call can also make difference in the life of a veteran who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Call 877-4AID-VET, or 877-424-3838, to be connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week with help at the VA.
6. Send a care package or a letter
Operation Gratitude has sent more than 1.5 million individually addressed care package to the military community. The packages are sent to current military members as well as veterans, wounded warriors and their caregivers. As more American troops return to civilian life, the Operation Gratitude veterans program has been growing. It also has a letter writing campaign encouraging everyone to write handwritten letters of gratitude to veterans.
7. Help them take flight
The Honor Flight Network helps veterans of the "greatest generation" make a free pilgrimage to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. You can volunteer to escort these men and women on the flight to see this memorial. Honor Flight also helps terminally-ill veterans who served in any conflict visit memorials to those wars in Washington as well.
8. Share their stories
So many veterans' stories have been left untold, but the Library of Congress is collecting the tales of veterans of every war with the Veterans History Project. If you are related to a veteran or know one who has a story to tell, the Library of Congress wants to hear it. Help veterans share their stories before it's too late.
9. Say thank you
It's simple, but it can make an impact. And so many veterans have never heard the words "thank you." If you know a veteran or see someone in a military uniform, say something. It may make his or her day and yours.
_________________ [Thread title is ridiculous btw]
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