A Veteran's Day Special Thanks To Our Military!

A Call of Duty!

This Veterans Day I found myself thinking a lot of my Gramps. He was a Navy Corpsman during three wars; World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was in Vietnam twice. He worked with the Marines on a daily basis through out all of them. He was a husband and father to four children. I never knew all that he had given in each of these wars until after he passed. Now I wish I could tell him just how much I appreciate him and how proud I am. He gave of himself every time there was a war. Draft or no he would raise his right hand and when it was over he would do his time and exit out of the military. He was very patriotic and rose to answer the call of need whenever it presented itself. It was his purpose.

Bearing the Cost

My grandfather never spoke of the things which went on in any of the wars. So we never knew... until I decided to do a random search on the net about him. The things that I found out! I cried. I know that he was not the only one, but you just don't hear of these accounts too often. I found ships records of him being on the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea. It told of what he and his fellow men did while being torpedoed. How they had to move the hospital (wounded and all) while under attack three times due to explosions, smoke and fire. I started to search elsewhere. Started asking questions. The things that I found made my heart surge with a love and pride that I regret I cannot bestow on the ones who truly need to hear it. BUT,... I do so here and now. Both he and his fellow servicemen have left a trail of grateful hearts and stories of the care and courage on their part; all of which he seldom spoke of. He was the very essence what every military man should be. He loved despite the difficulty that it may have presented. He earned more than just purple hearts in the doing too. He put a wounded Marine on a helicopter in Vietnam in spite of a new lieutenant's direct orders. I am happy to say that the Marine lived. He paid for that bit of care and concern, but it was no matter to him. A man's life was more important than his own rank. He had fulfilled his call of duty. He had saved a life. He did not have to speak his love or care; he knew how to act even in the face of cost.

In 1966, my Gramps faced his last war situation. A 12 year old Vietcong boy came from behind him and took aim. My Gramps would forever regret the action that he took to remedy the situation for he had two teenage boys at home. It was like killing his own son. The remorse that he felt was so strong that it sent him home to the States where he was honorably discharged from the military.

'I'm Proud Of You Men!'

On August 19th, 2003, my grandfather passed. On his deathbed, (I'll never forget
the agony that I felt when my mother told me this) he was expressing his love to each of the family that was present; just my mother, my aunt and uncle. He was sliding in and out of his memories. Lasping from the present to the past; back to the present. Mixed in his last words were 'I'm proud of you men!' My heart swelled for all Veterans as I heard this. It has enlarged immensely since to where I now am expressing it here in this little tribute to my Gramps. But it is not just a tribute to him, but to all who are involved in the cause that he strove for his whole life long. To love, have peace, and to simply care for those around you; even when you have to fight for that right to do so. A true veteran! That is why I am proud to say loud and clear for my Gramps; for all to hear...

I'm so proud of our men!

My prayers are that God bless them and keep them all!