There’s a scene in the amazing film Saving Private Ryan that I always come back to, whenever I try to envision what I would personally be like if I were in a soldier’s shoes during actual battle on the frontlines. Private Ryan slunked down on the ground, screaming & crying as all hell breaks loose around him. That would be me…followed by catching a bullet in the noggin.
We all like to think we would be a courageous hero, and who knows…maybe I would (Ron Howard Narration: “He wouldn’t”), but I often ponder about just how nutty things actually got for those who’ve unfortunately had to live these horrific & difficult experiences of being a soldier during wartime.
Fortunately I have my pops who bravely served in Vietnam, to tell me firsthand stories of some of his most memorable moments from that time. Tales of loss, sacrifice, sheer determination, and just about every other emotion any human would feel and experience under those circumstances. Boy, does he have some doozies.
Luckily for him, he served his time and made it home in one piece. He has since gone on to live a life that I look up to. He raised 6 kids alongside my lovely mother, and built us a life that afforded us the ability to vacation each year, have a stable roof over our heads, fully bellies, and a solid foundation on how to be a decent human being.
My dad also has never given up. Even when life serves him up a delicious shit sammich, he would chow down and power on. He's buried 2 wives and a son in his life. He watched my mom deteriorate as he was her main caregiver through the illnesses that would eventually take her from this world. But he’s still here, waking up each day and living the best life he can.
He actually has a way more active social life than I do at nearly half his age. He’s active and volunteers at the VFW in town. While he doesn’t need the cash, he tends bar at the local Elks club where he’s made a ton of new friends…a lot being fellow Vets.
My point of this all is simple. My pops, and all of the other Veterans out there deserve a world of thanks. Being my dad is never one to seek out glory or praise, I figured this is the least I can do to bring attention that my pops, is an American patriot, and one of my biggest heroes.
I think him, all the Vets still out their living their lives, and of course all of those who were not fortunate enough to have the privilege to come home and attempt to live a normal life post war. You are all amazing and I know I’m not alone when I say, Thank You for your Service.
Blewitt
