This was forwarded from a vet list I’m on, originally appearing on swiftboats.org and written by a Vietnam Vet.
Take a moment today to thank a veteran.
The thought of a mother answering her door to find a somber looking young military officer saying “I’m sorry,” and the wail of excruciating anguish that follows crosses my mind. Memories of battles echo in my head. A chopper with no lift capability hovers above my Swift Boat trying to rescue the wounded. Blood sloshes from wall to wall as the boat rolls in the choppy waters. A child with a bullet wound in her stomach lies in my arms. She smiles and touches my face with her hand. A pleading grandfather in a tiny fishing boat begs for us to save her. One hour later, a corpsmen on a nearby destroyer hands her body back to me wrapped in a sheet, the grandfather cries as I hand the toddler over the side to him. I can dimly see the fog shrouded masses of our lost sons and daughters proudly standing erect. I look at “Old Glory’ waving in the crisp morning air. My heart pounds with pride and grief. Tears stream down my wind blown face as I remember my shipmates that are no longer with us. Our flag is the embodiment of their souls and our freedom is the recipient of their sacrifices. Yes, I remember. How could I forget?