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I
cannot
imagine an experience more horrible than being a participant in
a war – any war. The smell of death and the sight of people being
blown to pieces is something that only those who have been there
can relate to.
And who is to say that one war was more horrendous than another
or that one battle exceeds another in brutality? War is hell on
earth and those of us who are fortunate enough not to have those
dreadful memories of death and destruction entrenched in our minds
should honor every single one of those brave souls who have endured
the terrible cruelty of combat.
The veterans of World
War II were instrumental is saving this country, and the entire
world, from domination by Germany and Japan. They have been labeled,
“The Greatest Generation,” and they certainly merit that title.
But since that time, including the present, this country has been
involved in other wars and in these wars; the participants have
also fought in bloody battles, not unlike what the veterans of World
War II experienced, and their sacrifice was just as enormous.
The problem is, however, that the veterans of these later wars have
not received the tribute that is due them for serving their country.
They did not come home to brass bands and ticker-tape parades, courtesy
of a grateful nation. Instead, they have been virtually ignored
by many of the people they so honorably served.
The Korean War
has been called a “police action,” but I seriously doubt that the
veterans of the Battle at Chosin Reservoir, Pusan, and the Battle
for Seoul, thought they were involved in a mere police action. Not
when nearly 40,000 of their fellow soldiers died in the frozen landscape
of Korea.
Some call Korea the “forgotten war,” and although it has been forgotten
by many, you can bet those who served there will never forget.
And in my opinion, the veterans of Vietnam have really received
a raw deal. They served during a time when many Americans opposed
the war. People took to the streets and demonstrated; returning
soldiers were spit upon, called baby killers, and were not honored
for serving their country. Some soldiers would actually change out
of their uniforms to avoid these confrontations.
But just like veterans of other wars, those who participated in
the Vietnam War still carry those same awful memories of the bloody
scenes they witnessed at places called Loc Ninh, An Loc, Quang Tri,
and many others. These veterans returned home with indelible images
still in their minds of dead comrades being placed in body bags
and pulled from the steamy jungles of Vietnam. Over 58,000 brave
soldiers died in this so-called “unpopular war.” As if any war could
be popular.
People seem to forget that the soldiers who fought in Vietnam won
nearly every battle they were engaged in. It has long been my opinion
that they were not allowed to do the things that could have won
the war, mainly because of political pressure to end it. But veterans
of Vietnam can hold their heads high; they performed admirably and
their sacrifice was just as great as those experienced by soldiers
of any war.
At the present time, there are young Americans risking their lives
in the Middle East. They are experiencing the same atrocious things
that soldiers in all wars have had to endure. Those who are serving
in our armed forces today are doing an exceptional job and we should
let them know we appreciate it, at every opportunity.
We should spare no expense in seeing that veterans are aptly compensated
for serving this country. Be it medical care, rehabilitation programs,
or anything else for that matter. They earned it, and they are entitled
to it. Those who complain about veterans receiving benefits more
than likely never served in the military.
I believe that those individuals who have taken time out of their
lives to defend this nation should be appropriately honored. If
they wore the uniform and did their duty, that is all that matters.
And it should make absolutely no difference when, where, or how
they served.
© Murray
Montgomery
Lone
Star Diary
August
8 , 2008 Column
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