Veteran’s Day

            Few of us can imagine the horrors of war. Much has been written about it, but you cannot create the feelings of absolute fear and horror. You cannot adequately express the terrible smells, fatigue or even the camaraderie. And for some, these horrors follow them for the rest of their lives. My dad spent nine long months on the front lines in the jungle during WW II. He survived numerous close calls with death, survived five major tropical diseases and was forced to kill many times. One time he felt the man’s last breath on his skin during hand to hand combat. My father was not a very emotional man, but I will never forget the time he came to me crying. I ask him what was bothering him and he stated that he wanted my forgiveness for killing his fellow man. I told him that that was the nature of war, but he quickly replied that he couldn’t help but think that he had a family waiting for his return just like him. You see, he found a picture of the man’s family in his pocket.

            He was never the same after the war. He was haunted for the rest of his life by his experiences. Most call it survivor’s guilt. It isn’t very logical, but real none the less. Before he left for the war he never drank alcohol. He returned an alcoholic. Before the war he had been a very successful businessman. After the war he slowly destroyed everything that he had acquired and built. Yet, he was one of the lucky ones. Through sheer determination he beat his alcoholism. For most of the time he was able to function. Many men (and some women) are never able to function again. They all too often become homeless, drunks and addicts. Ira Hayes, one of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima died of hypothermia after passing out from one of his many binges.

            And then there are those who suffer physical trauma for which they have to deal with forever. Loss of sight, limbs, burns and all of the other terrible wounds which modern warfare inflicts can make life very difficult for them. What is truly amazing is how many of them are able to readily adjust and compensate. Modern medicine and advances in body armor have increased the survival rate enormously. Therefore these great heroes will be with us for some time. I only hope and pray that Americans will treat them will all of the respect that they deserve. To quote from an old saying: all gave some, some gave all.  May God continue to protect and bless America and our heroic veterans. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. And Dad, I miss you very, very much!

Peace