The weekend before Veteran's Day we were able to attend a small ceremony near our house. It was in the old equestrian hospital grounds of Fort Ord. We had seen the signs to this area when driving around but never knew the significance of the buildings to the fort. It turns out that this is the last of the old equestrian hospitals for war horses set up for the cavalry horses that were used in battles until 1945. This particular hospital was built just a couple of years before the end of the horse era, which shows that this came as a surprise to all who deemed horses so valuable to the demands of military engagement. In honor of the historical significance of the venue, we were treated to a demonstration of the Australian Light Cavalry horse. This man gladly showed us how a horse would be prepared for military engagement with very little gear for protection.
We had the joy of meeting with veterans before the ceremony began. We have long held a book of tribute to our nation (going back to 2001) that we ask veterans to sign each year. The children are always asked to find at least three veterans to thank for their service. We let them know that we appreciate them and that they will never be forgotten. We have heard amazing stories of service over the years and today was no different.Most of the men and women present at this ceremony were from the Vietnam era due to the 50th anniversary of the war. We especially wanted them to know that we are proud of their sacrifice as they were often set aside and ridiculed for their duty to country. I am always amazed that a simple thank you can bring tears, but I have learned over the years to let them shed their tears because it brings healing. No words can express the relief they must feel knowing that they are acknowledged for their service.
One veteran we met was "Old Bill" (Sgt. Alan MacDonald) who had served in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. A three-war veteran is hard to find of this era. MacDonald was 92 years old this year and he told the group that he planned to come to the Veteran's Day celebration for at least another ten years! He is one the last cavalry veterans still living. He proudly wore his uniform and brought along his trusted horse companion, Comanche. Michael was especially drawn to this man because he represented his own father who had also served in these three wars.Sgt. MacDonald used to patrol the border of Mexico on horseback when he was stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas. He was the stable sergeant for Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Japan, made nine trips to Turkey to deliver some 1,200 horses and mules for the Turkish Army and was stationed in Australia, the Philippines and Korea.
The ceremony began and we were introduced to the guest speakers. These two men had a very different approach to the day's celebration although both served in Vietnam.
Our first speaker was SPC Kevin Howe who served in the Light Infantry Brigade. He explained that he would not talk long but had a message he wanted to share. He told us that he was like others who were in the military during the Vietnam War. He had no need for a parade or special recognition when he arrived home from the war. He did not consider himself a hero as the heroes were those who did not return. He only asked that his fellow citizens treat him with civility and respect for pausing his life in service of his country. Instead he was spit upon and called names...he was NOT a baby killer!...He was not even allowed to wear his uniform off post in fear of a confrontation. He was thankful to finally be given a chance to share his feelings about the war with pride in this service.
Then we heard from LTC Tom Griffin who seemed to be the other side of that coin...he spoke of the victory that all servicemen of the Vietnam era should take pride in being a part. He considers January 23, 1973 as Victory Day as this was the day a peace treaty was signed to allow for American troops to withdrawal from Vietnam. He goes on to say to not listen to the media portrayal of failure. The servicemen were betrayed by the news reports that would ultimately place the military in harm's way abroad and at home. These soldiers gave their lives and we should be thankful to them for their service. He went on to tell stories of his time in Vietnam.
At the end of the ceremony, the military who served in Vietnam were recognized with a lapel pin. It might not seem like much to us, but to these military servicemen it was like gold. The first man who accepted his pin happened to be standing beside me soon after, and he had such a reflective look on his face. I turned to him and offered my hand in thanks and told him that we were so proud of his service. He told me that it was the first time he had ever been thanked by our government and that was all he had ever wanted were those words spoken to him. It was definitely a long time in coming but he could now be at peace knowing he had served as he was asked and with honor.
The commemorative pin was a very simple design with an important message...“A grateful nation thanks and honors you.”
I later found SPC Howe. I was determined to show him the definition of a hero..."a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities." I told him to never forget that he is indeed a hero...I did not want my children or others to think that those in the military are anything but heroes. He might consider himself ordinary, but it his decision to go above and beyond the ordinary that makes him a hero.
I am so thankful for the heroes who surround me each day. May God bless the heroes!
No comments:
Post a Comment