This is directed at anybody who'd like to
read it, but if you're within, I don't know, 10 years or so of my
age (48) you may appreciate the first paragraph the most.
I'm of the age where my dad, my uncles and their friends were
all World War Two veterans. Growing up in the late 60's and early
70's, holiday gatherings, backyard barbecues, any family
get-together invariably ended up with the "grown-up men" talking
about the war.
As a kid, I didn't find much interest in any of the stories. But
the older I got, the more I understood.
Getting married, buying a house, having children, your career --
yeah, they are hugely important events in your life. But
experiencing a war --actually carrying a gun, prepared to kill
another human being and wondering if your next step will be your
last. Is that something you are ever going to forget? Isn't that
really the defining moment of your
life?
My grandfather served in World War One. His son (my dad) served
in World War Two. One of his sons (my older brother Tom) served in
Vietnam. That's three straight generations. If that pattern follows,
then my son or one of my nephews is due to serve in a war. I think
about that often and hope it never happens.
Don't get me wrong. I believe that those who serve our country
in the military are those who are to be most respected. But I look
at it from a father's perspective.
Does anyone remember when Channel 11 used to show Abbott and
Costello movies every Sunday morning from 11:30-to-1:00? I rarely
missed them.
I remember one particular Sunday in 1967 watching one of their
movies. The phone rang and it was my brother calling from Fort Bragg
in North Carolina.
I remember laughing at the movie and wondering why no one else
in my family was laughing. It's because they were all huddled around
the phone in the kitchen.
My Mom put her hand over the mouthpiece, looked at my dad and
said sadly "overseas." My dad looked down at the floor and shook his
head with such a sad face that it scared me. My brother had gotten
his orders to go to Vietnam.
My dad died in 1976 when I was a senior at Syosset High School,
but one of the lasting images I have of him was watching him write a
letter to my brother every single night while he was in Vietnam. And
yes, I mean that -- every single night, a new letter.
Me -- as an 8-year-old who played with toy soldiers -- had an
image of my brother and other soldiers walking through a a jungle
with helmets on and rifles drawn. I remember praying -- asking God
to "please keep a shield around Tommy." I pictured a bullet-proof
glass shield draped around my brother keeping him safe.
He made it through. Like many other
Vietnam vets, he's got emotional scars, but at least physically, he
made it.
Sorry for this long walk through my childhood, but there is a
point to all of this. As we get ready to observe Veterans Day,
let's not take anything for granted. As tough as life can get on
Long Island -- couples working 2, 3, 4 jobs to make ends meet -- all
the stress of bringing up our children the right way -- let's stay
focussed on one thing: none of us would be here, in the situation
we're in, if it's wasn't for the sacrifice of tens of thousands of
American citizens who died, were injured or simply experienced
service in the military.
Originally intended to remember the end of World War One
(Armistice Day), Veterans Day was later officially changed by
Congress as a day to "thank" living veterans.
Shortly after the terror attacks of September 11th, my wife
and I made a point of walking up to anyone we saw in a military
uniform to thank them for their service and wish them luck. Sadly,
with the passage of 6 years, it's something we no longer do. We
probably should. Maybe we'll take this "holiday" to start again.
So to all of you in the military, past or present, here's a
great big and very sincere thank you. And to the families of those
who are currently serving, another big thank you. I know what you're
going through. Let's just hope your loved one makes it home safely
and that one day, at the Thanksgiving dinner table, a backyard
barbecue or any family get-together, they'll be able to tell some
stories that just one day make an impression on the younger kids who
happen to be there.