It's the Soldier

I had a hard time trying to figure out what to write about this week. I had lots of topics that I wanted to cover, but most were political topics and I hesitated to do so. I am very politically minded, but I know I shouldn't bombard my readers with that very often. (Truly, I do know that!)  I also wanted to make sure to write a Veteran’s Day post, but somehow I just didn’t get that done. It wasn’t because I neglected to honor our veterans, or think about them. There was just sooooo much I wanted to say...and I know often times I get carried away...the task seemed like I could never say enough to honor our men and women that have served in harm's way.

I was very pleased however, that our local paper did a great job in honoring our vets this year. There were several articles and Letters to the Editor in honor of those that have served their country. The television media did a good job as well, it seems, in paying tribute. Locally, there were several ceremonies and a parade or two that paid homage to our vets. I attended one parade, and was very happy that I did. They had a special tribute to the "Spirit of ’45" which was especially heartfelt. Below are a few pictures of some that participated.

 

The way it was....(love this young man...what a smile!)



Photos of local heroes...I recognized a few names.



One of my friends on Facebook, reminded me of the importance of thanking the veterans that are in his life, and it made me want to make my own list. I wanted my next post on Butterflies and Rainbows to be a place where I could name those I wanted to remember. But then I worried about posting last names, and I worried that if I created a list, I was surely bound to forget someone; and I didn’t want that to happen. However, this morning, that list was still on my mind, so I decided I would name a few of the men that I love and am so very proud to know or have known. 


Spec 5; Bronze Star Recipient; Viet Nam Vet



• Pop - WWI
• Bill – WWII
• Sam –Viet Nam
• Bud - WWII
• Pete – Korea, Viet Nam
• Mel – WWII, Korea, Viet Nam     
• Gordon – WWII
• Bob – Viet Nam
• Glenn – Viet Nam
• Dale – Viet Nam
• Rich - Coast Guard
• Craig – US Army
• Don - WWII
• Don - Viet Nam
• Dan - US Navy
• Bob - US Marines

Anyway, so there’s a few of the men that made the decision to serve their country, for which I am extremely grateful. I’m not sure why, but I feel better now. It’s not like thousands or even hundreds will read their names, but at least now I feel I did what I could to keep their sacrifice and memory alive.

Last week, there was also a heart-wrenching Letter to the Editor about the War in the Pacific Theatre that I wanted to share. Unfortunately, that was not one of the letters the local paper chose to put on line. It was about the men that served in the Philippines. It seems the Pacific Theatre has often times been neglected to be mentioned or remembered. Or if it is mentioned, it has been distorted for political reasons, I believe. The truth of the matter is that the Japanese wanted to take over the world and had published the "Tanaka Memorial", stating that fact.  Google "Tanaka Memorial" today, and you will find revisionist history distorting the truth of that document; many calling it a forgery. That letter to our local paper from someone who had been there, is one I just can't shake and I would love to be able to try to post it here.

The war in the Philippines was brutal and thousands of our soldiers lost their lives. But something new that I just learned from this Letter to the Editor is that thousands of Pilippinos stood by the American soldier and lost their lives as well. I always knew the Philippine people loved and supported America and our military fighting that war, but I am ashamed to say I did not know, the huge number of men that the Philippines also lost: 70,000 men, to be somewhat general. When I read that fact in the letter, it reminded me of the time I learned of the H’Mong in Viet Nam, who also loved America and chose to fight for her.

I guess it upsets me so much to learn these facts, because there is always someone it seems, that tries to make it appear that the American Soldier and America’s presence in a foreign war is not wanted or warranted. Perhaps that is why these stories of foreign soldiers willing to die for America are so often times buried…

I’m sure this post will lead me to my next post – The War on Terror – which is partly why it took me so long to post anything in the first place. No, I don't love controversy...but I do love seeking truth.  I’ll give you a warning though…so no one will be caught off guard.

It's the Soldier

It is the soldier, not the President who gives us democracy.

It is the soldier, not the Congress who takes care of us.

It is the soldier, not the Reporter who has given us Freedom of Press.

It is the soldier, not the Poet who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus Organizer who has given us the

Freedom to Demonstrate. It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier,

who salutes the flag; who serves beneath the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag, that allows the protester to burn the flag.
 

(Father Dennis O'Brien, US Marine Corps Chaplain;
Also Quoted in part by General Douglas McArthur)

The POW/MIA Fallen Comrades Table honoring the men and women of all 5 service branches.