EMOTIONS

E M O T I O N S

I retired to my little farm just a few miles from the Air Base.  I am close enough to hear the daily Retreat and EMOTIONS well up as I stand alone, silently listening to that sound I heard for 20 years.   EMOTIONS overtake me when I think of the words of past patriots such as Patrick Henry; "Give me liberty or give me death", Nathan Hale; "I regret that I only have on life to give for my Country. 

These words of dedication are very much alive today.  As an advanced age military I find myself reading the OBITs. Oftentimes, it includes some I knew personally some I simply feel a kinship with.

Recently, two super-patriots passed on.  My military service is insignificant in comparison to theirs.  One Officer, Colonel "C" served with the greatest generation of WWII thru Korea and Vietnam.  His may awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross.  He dedicated  his entire life to his country and lived by the admonition"To protect my country, I would go to war as long as I live"...

The Other Officer, Colonel "H" was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nothing was included about why.  This prompted me to write the Gazette and they printed my letter on 01/03/16.     His award was for missions flown from Wiesbaden Germany.   I was part of the Group the officer served in and on one very cold, snowy day about 5 AM, we were all called to a very large hanger and as we were called to attention and in walked the Chief of Staff from the Air Force who stated: "I am here to award you the Distinguished Unit Citation for which the World cannot know why, but I know and the President knows and that's all that matters".  You are dismissed.  Most can be said now, but you may want to Google "The Silent Warriors".  

Our heros are many.  EMOTIONS overwhelm when I hear words from the desert; Words shouted out by rescuers of our seven prisoners, "STAND UP IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN!", and seven Americans stood up.  I could not speak again as emotions overtook me when rescuers entered the hospital where young wounded Jennifer Lynch heard the words; We are American Soldiers" and her response; "I am an American Soldier too". 

I will become emotional again, as I always do, as we celebrate the birth of our Nation on July 4th, and again on Nov 11,  Armistice Day, aka Veterans Day. For many, their meaning is lost in parties, picnics, family gatherings and the like.  To me, I think of the families that are still hurting.  As a youngster, I can never forget the nice young officers in their Pink & Green Air Corps uniforms.  Walking up  to our house with the greetings: "We regret to inform you...", and emotion again overwhelms me. 

 To all the families that gave your young Son, Daughters, Fathers, Brothers, be brave as they were brave.

THEY LEFT US HERE - IN PERFECT HEALTH -  THEY LOOKED SO YOUNG AND BRAVE -  LITTLE DID WE KNOW-  THEY SOON WOULD BE - IN A SOLDIERS GRAVE.  And on it goes.    The Donal