Veterans Day

I met a guy while working in the middle of the night Saturday who commented on the recent election results, in the context, "That he hoped his two tours as a jumper with the "82nd Airborne" in Viet Nam in the late 60s-early 70s was not in vein." The emotions simmered a little when I told him my older brother Mike did two tours with an armour division out of Ft. Hood Texas in the late 60s as well. Unlike those brave ones who fought for the United States in Viet Nam, we sometimes forget what sacrifices, personal, physical and emotional they experienced or continue to endure.

When I used to ride Harleys, I participated in the annual Rolling Thunder to the Wall in DC, initially for the fun of it, but upon arrival at the Pentagon Parking Lot staging area, my purpose changed. Seeing the hundreds if not thousands in worn military jackets, or jackets with symbolic MIA patches, my focus turned to the higher meaning given to this important event. Some of my grade school and high school friends' names are engraved in the Wall. I occasionally think about them, remember the pranks, the sports challenges we shared, the girls we dated, the alcohol we drank while being underage. My friend Joe Blanchard, served two tours in the Special Forces in Viet Nam. The frustration got the best of him and he took his own life shortly after his return. His neighbor Marine Lieutenant Eddie Bower's name is on the Wall and I have vivid memories of the wailing and tears running down Trish Hunt's face upon learning of the loss of her brother. They are not here now to share in the memories, but I am here to pray for their salvation and the hope that he or she is looking out for me.

Similarly, to Denise Lucero, Mike Overfelt, Bob Tinari, Mark Frazer, Aric Euler, Smokey Ward, Gene Brown, Bud Hunt, Greg Dotson, Ron Russo, George Owings, Fr.David Russell (U.S. Marine) and hundreds if not thousands of other veterans in Calvert County, my brother Mike in Long Island, my former neighbor and friend Robert Gonder, dec'd (101st. Airborne), G. Gordon Liddy, Sen. John McCain, Sam Raker, Willard Morris, Uncle Dent and so many others who have served our country with distinction on the battlefield or off, in Viet Nam, the Middle East or elsewhere, I say: "Thank you for your service to our Country!"

A special thanks to Gen. A.C. Widemeyer, who made it possible for brother Mike and I to achieve some goals in life and to so many others who served with distinction in Korea, and in World Wars I & II.

I would not be able to have this blog or the ability to write profiles or speak out on the issues that I believe to be important had it not been for all of them or you. My prayers are with them and you.

To formerly respond to the veteran's rhetorical question: I do not think your service was in vein!

This is your Country. This is your Town. This is your Neighborhood. This is North Beach!.