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Many many thanks to all who serve/served!
Jack you made a good point when you stated that our Guard members are not always viewed with the same level of gratitude as those who served active duty time. I have found that so many veterans who served in the National Guard, don't themselves believe they are as worthy of the title of veteran as those who served on active duty. Thankfully, I believe due to the need for so many of our Guard troops to serve in combat regions, and in the same capacity as their fellow active duty counterparts, this view is changing.
I have also encountered many veterans who served in combat who still consider themselves less worthy of being counted as a veteran as those who died. I find this very sad. I agree with all that ANYONE who put on a uniform and served their country with honor is every bit as much of a veteran as any other. None of those who serve/served, knew when they joined the Service whether they would be sent to a combat zone or not. The fact that they still chose to serve qualifies them as one of America's bravest.
My husband is also a Vietnam "era" veteran..... he joined in 1975, but bristles whenever I refer to him as such. He does not consider himself worthy to be included among those who endured the horrors of Vietnam. I, of course, disagree. While he was blessed not to have to go to that war, he has nonetheless, served his country with honor for 33 years, both on active duty and in the National Guard. Even after he spent time in Qater, a few years ago, he would not allow anyone to refer to him as "war" veteran, because he was not that close to Iraq. He was still in danger, as the many bunkers on the base proved.
I think this feeling among our peacetime veterans speaks volumes to the incredible amount of respect they have for those who fought and sometimes died in combat. They are an honorable breed. I believe it takes a very special person to be willing to risk the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. I believe our peacetime veterans believe they are being less respectful by allowing themselves to be counted among those who saw combat time. I respectfully, disagree with this view. You are ALL my hero's. You have helped to make the world a safer place for my children and for the rest of what I hope will always be a grateful nation!
So, I would like to thank each and every veteran who ever served at anytime. You have my, and my entire families many thanks!
Karen
This week I am remembering:
Private Harold Guy Edwards, my great grandfather
Killed at 11:20 a.m. November 11th in WWI. The news that the war had ended had not reached the front, in France, where he was serving. My grandmother often spoke of how devastated her family was to learn that after they believed he had survived the war and would soon be coming home, learned that he had been lost twenty minutes after the armistace was signed.
1st Lt. Dean Richard Gilmore
USAAF, 1942-November 11, 1944, Monte Cassino, Italy, recipient of the DFC
Sargeant John Harry Gilmore, my beloved Daddy
1945-1986, served in the South Pacific, and in Japan, and would have been part of the invasion force had America not dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Corporal Gerald Nyman, my father-in-law
Korean war veteran, served all over Korea, and was in the battle of Pork Chop hill
Sargeant Richard David Rando, my uncle
1967-1971, served at both Da Nang, and Bien Hoa. He served during the Tet offensive.
Master Sargeant Charles J. Trimble, my husband
1975-present, he has served at Minot AFB, Qater, Nellis, in Mississipi after Hurricane Katrina, Germany, and many other states in our country.
_________________
"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of
us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time"
- Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC
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