The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

What Are They Feeling?

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

10 November 1999

On practically every street corner, you meet one. Their head is held high. They wave with a friendly "hello" moving on in their usual quick gait. There's a combination of pride and humbleness about them, as well as a sense of humor. But more often than not, they take a very serious approach to life and all of its responsibilities.

But, there are other times when it is hard to make good eye contact with them. Times when it's as if their minds have drifted far from the task at hand. This happens near Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and any other anniversary that marks a beginning or end to a war.

By now, I'm sure you know I am talking about our American veterans. Have you ever asked, "Who these beaten yet strong individuals are who have served our country, daring to sacrifice for the betterment of so many?

I found some interesting talk and articles on the internet. It helps shed a little light on who they are and what are they feeling. Listen in as we hear them talk:

From Hal 11/11/98:

"I'm celebrating tonight by volunteering in the free clinic. Many of the patients I take care of there are veterans who have been much less fortunate than I.

"Frankly, I did it for me. I was living on the street and joining the military seemed like the only way out. I suppose I knew I could go to war, but I don't think it really sank in until I left for the Persian Gulf. This was the last time I manned the rails while I watched my wife sobbing on the pier. I'm glad I did it and if given the same circumstances would probably do it again. I believe that I have been thanked by our country in many forms already.

Most importantly, I met my wife while we were both in the military. Of course, I had a good job with excellent pay for six years as well as excellent training and experience that has helped me immeasurably in my education."

From Jeff 11/11/98:

To Ethan. I echo what others in this thread have said. The debt of gratitude that we owe to those of you who served in combat can never be acknowledged enough. There's nothing more to be said except simply, thank you."

From Ethan 11/11/98:

"This year is so weird. Most years nobody thinks much about Vet's day except a few of us get if off for holiday. But this year you are the second or third person to thank me for my service. You can't know how much that is appreciated.

"Want to know how to pay us all back? Exercise your rights as citizens. Pay attention to issues, vote with your head, and give of your time to your community. Make this country better than it is in just one small way. It all adds up.

"The only thing that could make my comrades' sacrifice meaningless would be for you to grow apathetic. Citizenship privileges were purchased with blood. Use them."

From Ethan 11/11/98:

"I read once that courage is not the lack of fear, it is the ability to act in spite of your fear. (Here's an example):

"A TRUE HERO"

"Bob Butler lost his legs in a 1965 land mine explosion in Vietnam. He returned home a war hero. Twenty years later, he proved once again that heroism comes from the heart. Butler was working in his garage in a small town in Arizona on a hot summer day when he heard a woman's screams coming from a nearby house. He began rolling his wheelchair toward the house, but the dense shrubbery wouldn't allow him access to the back door. So he got out of his chair and started to crawl through the dirt and bushes. I had to get there, he says. It didn't matter how much it hurt.

"When Butler arrived at the pool there was a three-year-old girl named Stephanie Hanes lying at the bottom. She had been born without arms and had fallen in the water and couldn't swim. Her mother stood over her baby screaming frantically. Butler dove to the bottom of the pool and brought little Stephanie up to the deck. Her face was blue, she had no pulse and was not breathing. Butler immediately went to work performing CPR to revive her while Stephanie's mother telephoned the fire department. She was told the paramedics were already on a call. Helplessly, she sobbed and hugged Butler's shoulder. As Butler continued with his CPR, he calmly reassured her. Don't worry, he said. I was her arms to get out of the pool. It'll be okay. I am now her lungs. Together we can make it. Seconds later the little girl coughed, regained consciousness, and began to cry. As they hugged and rejoiced together, the mother asked Butler how he knew it would be okay.

"The truth is, I didn't know, he told her. But when my legs were blown off in the war, I was all alone in a field. No one was there to help except a little Vietnamese girl. As she struggled to drag me into her village, she whispered in broken English, it okay. You can live. I be your legs.

Together we make it. Her kind words brought hope to my soul and I wanted to do the same for Stephanie.

"There are simply those times when we cannot stand alone. There are those times when we need someone to be our legs, our arms, our friend."

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY VETERANS DAY ALL!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

From Liz 11/11/98:

"My husband was in the Marine Corps in the mid-80's. He was never involved in any military action/combat-type situations. He is considered a military veteran, but not a war veteran. This afternoon we went to a Veteran's Day program at one of the schools. A young man approached my husband as we entered and asked if he was a Veteran. My husband said "yes" and he was pinned with a red, white, and blue ribbon and we were seated in a special section full of military veterans who also happened to be war veterans. We felt a little awkward as different people spoke about and thanked all of these heroes who had fought for our freedom. It was so obvious that we didn't fit in..... I wish there would have been a designated seating area for non-war Veterans.

From Dewey 11/11/98:

"He is still a veteran. He served his country proudly and with honor. The job that is done whether it be in peace or war is important all the same. I would not wish war on any man/woman in uniform. I don't think it would be too glamorous to watch your buddies die and to kill or be killed.

"I served in the Navy in the early to mid 90's. I was stationed in England during the Gulf War and participated in Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, and spent a lot of time in support of the No Fly zone in Iraq. Just because there was no war means that the times were not tense and stressful and I consider myself as much of a Veteran as the brave men that have fought in wars past.

All of the men that have given of themselves to protect all of our freedoms are Veterans. We owe all of them a great deal of respect and a huge thank you. Just because there is peace, it does not diminish the importance of the job that the men/women in uniform do."

From John, Sergeant First Class, 11/11/98:

"Yes, your husband is a Veteran. I'm a Vietnam Veteran and I always consider anyone who served as a fellow soldier in arms. You and your husband would always be welcome by my side and I yours."

-Editor's note:

These conversations tell a story. As you read this editorial, I am attending the final day of Branson, Missouri's Veteran's Homecoming - a salute to the 27 million American veterans. In the heartland of America, Branson pays honor and tribute each and every day to our veterans at their shows. Their Veterans Homecoming week includes 60 events, with a 11 a.m. parade in downtown Branson November 11th.

Before I left, I wanted to make sure I gave my thanks to all our veterans who gave some freedoms to protect our's. I am most grateful to each of you...thank you.