A Natural State of Mind
About three years ago, I bought and began religiously wearing a ball cap which identified me as a military veteran who was deployed overseas and inserted into the midst of the long, convoluted strife taking place in Southeast Asia.
This jet-black headgear boldly reflected my former status with the wording “Vietnam Veteran” and graphically with an exaggerated reproduction of this conflict’s campaign’s ribbon.
I am certain that upon seeing me donning this eye-catching cap, many assumed it was worn as a boastful way to draw attention to a critical part of my service record.
And, optimistically, I perceived that this labeling might even gain an occasional thank you from an attentive citizen and/or a small discount at some fast food emporiums.
But when I stepped back for a clearer view of my choice in caps, I found that for some strange, inexplicable, reason the memory of a dark and trying era in our nation’s history kept elbowing its way into my age-warped mind.
This proved to be seriously disturbing!
Perhaps, it was the hasty and chaotic retreat we made from Afghanistan that sent me racing headlong into a quagmire of mental anguish.
However, I cannot say for sure that this was the cause for my melancholia. But rest assured, the images shown on TV’s nightly news did little to erase the blood-red visions of our tragic departure from Saigon.
This is a bad dream floating around inside my brain and occasionally causing night sweats.
So, on this bitter cold night in December, I retreated to our home office to engage in introspective thought regarding the military history of myself and our nation.
After a tortuous period of slaying demons, I came to cling to two long-ignored truths.
Evidently it was my subliminal acceptance of these complementary facts that had forced me to strut about in public in this embroidered billboard (i.e. my decorative sun protection device).
Being privileged to periodical express my thoughts in writing as a guest contributor to the Tribune, I promptly sat down and opened up my computer.
With wind whistling outside and the temperatures plummeting, the twin realities surrounding my head covering trend began to take shape and emerge in the journalistic form shown below.
Truth number one!
There were 58,000 GIs who did not make it back alive from this North versus South civil war.
Plus, there were hundreds of thousands of men and women whose battered hearts kept beating, but came home physically and/or emotionally damaged. For far too many, this was to permanently shape their life as they faced profound challenges.
Therefore, I wear my cap to remind all who see it of the extremely high cost the US pays in time of war!
The sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers we lose and those returning scarred and irreparably mangled, often both internally and externally.
Truth number two!
Only an excruciatingly small handful of those placed in harm’s way in South Vietnam have ever received a hearty welcome home and a heartfelt thank you.
Due to some unacceptable reasoning, this overwhelming lack of gratitude gnawed away at America’s longstanding tradition of expressing our undying gratitude for the sacrifices made by those answering the call of duty.
Until then, there was a thanks-filled response that was eagerly carried out by our freedom-loving citizens.
So, I morosely ask”how and why” did we corrupt and abandon such a time-honored responsibility?
After all, this was a patriotic expression of gratitude going back to the American Revolution.
Therefore, I wear my cap to remind others that our unsung heroes, battling under our flag, fought bravely and at great personal risk.
They did so in order for you and I to remain safe and comfortable here at home!
If facing this reality makes you uneasy, then so be it! For we must never forget that it is the politicians, who ‘should’ work for you and me, that make the decisions that send our troops to wage war.
It is not the duty bound GIs that create such hellish situations they only follow orders and oftentimes make the ultimate sacrifice for doing so?
Admittedly, the disrespectful actions and neglectful attitude coming from a large portion of our civilian population throughout early 1970s deeply troubled - and still troubles - me.
Yet, I do not put forth this message in an attempt to shame the multitude of callous critics for what they did or did not do.
Many, with close ties to oath-bound individuals once (or presently) wearing a military uniform, consider such bad behavior to be a unspeakable travesty. Myself included.
But pointing a revengeful finger holds no satisfaction for me.
Quite honestly, I genuinely suspect this would be both a futile and exhausting exercise. Besides,
I have found that ‘forgiveness’ is the only thing that yields enduring tranquility.
Even extending grace to the celebrity poster girl for Vietnam War protests (i.e., Hanoi Jane) removes a heavy burden from my soul.
Judgment is God’s job! Not mine!
Most GIs in Vietnam simply did what their country asked of them to the very best of their ability, and in return received only contemptuous bullying as compensation.
So, if you doubt that hurtful words, gross apathy and intentionally delivered neglect has the power to leave wounds that stubbornly resist healing, just ask any vet that has chronically endured these abuses.
Or, consider the hordes of vets desperately suffering from PTSD...both then and now!
Therefore, my more pressing objective is to help ensure that service men and women returning from war never again face the emotionally destructive treatment which the Vietnam vets had meted out to them, in large portions, by rude, ruthless and clueless detractors when they arrived stateside.
Thus, if you sincerely value our humble warriors who served (or now serve) in a national defense capacity, I would strongly suggest that you charitably gift them with an enthusiastic “WELCOME HOME!”
I feel certain that these two words of kindness will mean much, much more to downtrodden victims of the spirit-crushing circumstances I described than a reverent nod of acknowledgement followed by a well-practiced, mechanically-uttered “Thank You for Your Service!”
I would further recommend that you greet all first responders whom you encounter with an appreciative handshake and/or a sincere thank you.
Then you can go home and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep knowing they, and members of our armed forces, are on duty 24/7 to protect and preserve both what…and whom…you so dearly love!