six more weeks of what winter?

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

<w:LsdException Locked=”false” Priority=”73″ SemiHidden=”false”
UnhideWhenUsed=”false” Name=”Colorful Grid Accent 1″ />

<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed=”false” Name=”Medium Shading 2 Accent 6″ />

This is a rant. I may lose some friends.

I participated in the VA creative arts competition and won two blue ribbons – one in poetry and one in personal essay. Now my stuff will go to the national level. I was surprised at how few people from “my wars” participated. I think they are kind of driven off, which is a shame.

I realize now that I am a bigot. I love the military and everyone who has ever served – wartime, peacetime, it doesn’t matter, with one exception. Angry Vietnam Veterans. I simply cannot stand them. They are belligerent and dominate every event.

I love the WWII and Korean War veterans. Every time I sit next to one waiting for labs or an appointment, they lean over and ask me if I’m there visiting someone. They are so surprised and interested when I tell them, “No. I’m a retiree and I wasn’t a nurse.” They tell me all about their service and their war. They always tell me the funny, heartwarming stories.

Many Vietnam vets, not the quiet majority but the noisy minority, also ask if I’m visiting someone. When they find out I’m not, they tell me how horrible their war was, how they were screwed, how evil the government and their service are. They talk to me as if I agree with them, as if I was somehow screwed and duped and am a victim of the U.S. government. They get angry when I tell them that I am proud of my service.

I loved being in the Army. I never left a country worse off than when I went in. Sure, I didn’t always agree with the overall mission and didn’t like a lot of the things I had to do to that end. But, personally I always found a way to make a difference. No matter what my job was, I always found an orphanage, school or clinic that needed help. The other soldiers were no different. We wrote to corporations, charities, churches and friends to solicit donations. In our down time, we built schools, playground equipment, check dams, whatever was needed. We taught reading, writing, computers and professional skills. We organized bazaars for local vendors to sell their wares. We fed and clothed kids and helped families rebuild their damaged properties. If you hated what you were doing, it was your own fault, because opportunities to do good were all around you, no matter what theater you served in. It’s true, bad things happened to soldiers in Vietnam; bad things happened to us. It is a war and now it’s over for you.

The WWII and Korean War vets came home. Many did struggle with war related issues, but the vast majority faced the reality that it happened and now they must get on with living. They did their duty and felt that no one owed them anything. Those that suffered were inadequately cared for by our country. The Vietnam vets were inadequately cared for, too. But, since the early ‘80’s the care has been available to them if they chose to avail themselves of it. Some do, some don’t. But, the noisy minority continues to complain, to rage, to not get on with their lives. They are the bullies of the veteran community and the new veterans, the veterans of my wars really want nothing to do with them.

I don’t want to march in the Veteran’s Day parade and be subjected to their vitriol and negativity. I don’t want every veterans’ event to be dominated by images of the Wall, compelling and sad as it is. I want flags and proud soldiers, brave and strong and righteous. Because, I firmly believe – WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS and the only person or institution who can make you not a good guy is you.