*Click on the day of the month for the daily quote.*

First I would like to thank all of you Veterans who responded to my requests to post your stories....you are all wonderful. I am honored to share your work here.

Last year I posted many stories in November which had to do with actual battles....and good things that resulted from those times. But this year it seems I took a different approach....totally by accident :-) I began my search just as I did last year, and yet discovered many different stories....some by the same authors, yet stories I had not read last year, even though they were posted!!! To give you a little insight into all of this....last year I found many stories relating to Veterans, especially when they were deployed overseas. Stories of camaraderie and bravery. The stories help me to better understand that our service people endure much to serve our country, to secure our freedom, and to even keep peace around the world. It has been very inspiring to read stories of personal victories. 

This year as I said the stories were actually quite different. One of the first stories I read was by Tim Lickness.  Last year I posted....Welcome Home 1967 by Tim Lickness.  Tim was a paratrooper....like Chris. And so I felt close to the story. But this year early on in my search I ran across Reunion also by Tim Lickness. And yes, he let me post it :-) It is a totally different view.  Tim is very "rich"....meaning rich in "real" things....a wonderful family, a successful career, and a Christian. Yet, the story Reunion reveals the fact that the affects of serving in our military are everlasting. As the story of Reunion unfolded before me....I realized more than ever that the price of freedom is priceless. And those who serve live with the memories forever. Another story by Tim is Rescue of Dustoff 65....about heroes who will never be known. As I read these stories I began to see a pattern in what I was finding. 

Last year I posted a couple of pieces from Guy Jones....and when I contacted him this year about one particular story, he said "use anything you like." And so I began to read his other poems. Guy writes of standing in Vietnam one day watching his friends being flown back home in body bags.  And as he watched he made a vow to never let them be forgotten. And so now some thirty years later....he is still writing of his friends and the times they served together. He is allowing himself to remember, times he chooses to forget. His poems are very emotional when read from this standpoint. And so you will find several of his pieces posted below. They're written about friends, but they show much love.

I ran across some World War II stories....War Stories by Joseph Salzano and Promise Made, Promise Kept by Fielding D. Tucker.  These two stories show the war from the compassionate side of the soldiers. Speaking of the country they were in, describing the people they encountered, the people they helped. The desire of the soldiers to bring their fellow soldiers home at whatever the cost. The more humane side of the fighting. The way our soldiers "help" the native people in the countries they are deployed to. It was a different side of war to me. And Mr. Salzano and Fielding  were more than wonderful when I contacted them. They both sent me "more" than I had already found. I feel very special to have the opportunity to add the new material to their stories.   

I also read much about Vietnam....not so much the grueling horrible battles....but the "feelings" of those days. Oh I did read much about the battles....by all accounts it was horrible. You will often read that we lost the war in Vietnam....but if you read the stories, you will see that we were winning the war when we were there....the war was lost years later when the South Vietnamese surrendered their weapons. And I will forever remember my dad's words to me one day when I said "I know we lost the war in Vietnam"....he said "WE didn't lose the war.....WE were winning when we were there. Slowly but surely WE were making progress in the fight against the North Vietnamese." And since that day, this is what I have learned....our troops did a fantastic job....and suffered beyond comprehension in Vietnam....but THEY never gave up. It was the American people who gave up. As a nation we seemed to be heartbroken as more and more lives were lost. Everyone hated the war....everyone. But the soldiers fought because it was their duty....and they were winning against unbelievable odds. 

The stories of the receptions the soldiers received as they returned home is heartbreaking to me. That is some of what you will find posted this month....stories of troops returning to be spit on and ridiculed....as Bill McDonald wrote about in his story "There Was No Band Playing." And Michael L. Murphy's story Welcome Home describes both a welcome home and an unwelcome home. He says this of the American people "Somewhere in their anger and fear they forgot that we were their brothers, sons and fathers that they had sent off to war." 

Jim Cunningham has allowed me to post his letter to Vietnam Veterans. On Mr. Cunningham's site I read the quote...."Honoring the veteran does not mean honoring the war." When I read that I wanted to share it with EVERYONE. I am not a political person and know nothing about the Vietnam War from a political standpoint....but I believe ALL Veterans deserve our respect and thanks. If for no other reason, because they serve we don't have to. The quote is perfect. 

And so this year I hope the stories will not only make you think about soldiers and veterans, but about your place in supporting our military. It seems we as a nation can make a difference in the life of a Veteran. Whether it is a negative or positive difference all seems to depend on us and who we are. I like my freedom, even though I cannot really picture life without it. When I read of sights and sounds and smells our soldiers have encountered....many things they will live with forever....I cannot truthfully relate. But when I read a story like As I Stare Out This Window by Guy Jones....I realize sooo much that we do affect each other....and our support of Veterans is not giving our support to the war. In one story the soldiers are discussing what they want to return to when they return home....and all is quiet when one soldier says...."I just want to return to a grateful nation."  

I posted the story One Day in Vietnam by Jim Pollock. Jim was an Army Combat Artist and wrote about one of the days during his time in Vietnam. When I contacted him to use the story he gave me permission to post it along with some of his artwork. This prompted me to look for more Army art....and I discovered the Army and Navy links to some of their artwork. All the pics this month on these pages are from the Army, Navy sites....or Jim Pollock. With the exception of a few of you who sent me personal pics, or allowed me to use personal pics from your sites. I hope you have some time to browse through the artwork. Many of the pieces tell their own story.

On a positive note a good friend of my website....Jon Ochs lives in Canada. He is an older gentleman who has shared a few of his writings with me. He encourages me to love :-) When he first met me I told him all about my family....and when he learned that my dad served in the Air Force during Vietnam.....Jon said, "Shake your father's hand for me and tell him thank you." I did not feel the impact of those words until I read the stories about America's reception to those returning from the Vietnam War. The reception was not always negative. My dad is from the midwest....and he said he never received anything but respect when he wore his uniform. He said people actually offered him free rides when he traveled. Everyone was nice to him. 

Well, I guess that's all I have to share....but I do hope you will take time to read the stories....and reflect on your place as an American. There are many links throughout the stories....please try to visit them this month and share them if possible. Those who serve are just like the rest of us....in that they enjoy many of the same things we do....but the difference is they have CHOSEN to leave home and make a difference. However, the stories show you don't have to leave home to make a difference in their lives.  I have come to realize that those who serve are serving from the goodness of their heart....and expecting nothing in return....this is their country and they are serving to keep it free. It is their choice. I know many who served in the past served as a result of the draft. But keep in mind, they did not run, or protest, or dodge the draft....they served when the call came. Many of the Veterans could have actually legitimately not served for some reason....and yet especially during the wars, many worked around the system to serve. There were many many conscientious objectors who have served in our military without compromising their beliefs. It's my experience they would all enjoy a simple note letting them know you are thinking of them and remembering that you can do most anything you please this day because they are sleeping in a tent, or on a ship :-) The stories show our support makes a big difference in the morale of those who serve. And the quotes say being appreciated is a wonderful feeling and makes the most horrible experiences bearable. 

Marine Father O'Brien says Veterans are ordinary people just like us....only with a little extra and that's what makes them extraordinary :-)

I wish all of you enough always....and to each veteran, a special thank you ....

World Series     
When I Went to Vietnam
Welcome Home   War Stories
Veterans Day   There Was No Band Playing     
TET   Slow Boat to Vietnam   Silent Patriot, The     
Reunion   Rescue of Dustoff 65   Real Letter from A US Marine
PTSD   Promise Made, Promise Kept   Ooohrah?   One Day in Vietnam     
My Promise   My First Day in Nam   Memories of "TET" from a Philly Girl     
Marine, A   Letter from the USS Forrestal   His Military Wife   Forgotten Hero, The  
   First Mission!   Dear Vietnam Veteran   Conflict in the Ribeauville Area
Buffalo Soldiers, The   Bootless Outpost
As I Stare Out This Window
After the Storm

Special Veterans In My Life :-)
More Veteran Stories....November 2001

Collection of Love Quotes

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