Vigilance continues on Veteran’s Day

Thanks to all the businesses and organizations honoring America’s veterans this year, such an outpouring of appreciation like the country hasn’t seen on Veteran’s Day for many years. Really extraordinary the outpouring of support this year.

The observer could be eating free all day, had he not already paid for dinner at the Central Cardinal Club at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium later in the day. Tom Jurich the featured speaker, no way does the observer miss that one.

Veteran’s Day always brings back memories of that year in South Vietnam in 1970. The long, never-ending flight across the Pacific, not knowing what awaited on the ground. Reporting in at the receiving station, the sergeant learning the observer could use a typewriter, assigning him to be a legal clerk. Long nights of guard duty once a week on the Long Binh post perimeter. Once being named soldier of the post just for knowing Spiro Agnew was Vice President of the United States. Shooting a Cobra while on guard duty. Breaking his wrist playing volleyball on the black top parking lot. Those giant ham, egg and cheese sandwiches at lunch.

Receiving the special Courier-Journal sports reports for troops, looking up University of Louisville scores daily in the Stars & Stripes. Mayor Frank Burke sending a City of Louisville flag to hang over his bunk. Arguments with North Carolina fans over who played the best basketball, thankful for not running into the first University of Kentucky fan during his entire deployment.

Falling off to sleep every night to the sounds of helicopters, rifle fire and explosions. Meeting with the troops in the field, hearing about their living conditions, the battles they were in. Losing the post’s Commanding General, the Sergeant Major and a First Lieutenant on a downed helicopter flight just hours after participating in an award ceremony. So very real, so very dangerous, Proud to have known so many who served unselfishly.

The special outpouring of support for veterans this year may be a reaction to the new dangers America faces at home and abroad. Also providing a backlash to those who disrespect the military and individual freedoms while often short-changing the people and countries they fought to protect.  The fight continues on all fronts.