Hear me, At an age that is nowadays considered to be still formative years, it was demanded that I fulfill my “obligation” for the privilege of living in this country. I am the one who did not want to be there, but I gladly went anyway as my father, and my grandfather had done before me, because of a sense of duty. I did not ask one favor, nor were any ever given to me. I was sent to do the unthinkable, by those who would not have the stomach to send their own sons do the same. I am a part of something that this country wants desperately to forget, but we that served will NEVER, EVER let that happen, deal with it. I will never forget my fallen and wounded comrades, or the sacrifices they made for me, and the others that served there with me. Their memory stays with me constantly, and will always be a reminder of how fragile my life on this planet really is. I was constrained by politics so badly, that it was an almost impossible situation, but we ALWAYS kicked their asses anyway. I am the lowest rung on the military ladder, I am a “draftee”. A conscript, mere cannon fodder, to do the bidding of those who were never in harms way. I am looked down upon by some senior officers and enlisted alike because of that status, but when “it” hit the fan, as it ALWAYS did, I did everything that was expected of me, every time, without fail, and in some cases a bit more. I served every day, every hour, and every minute of my “obligation” with a sense of honor, knowing full well that so many others were too cowardly to do that, and did whatever they could to get out of serving. I absolutely was not the first to go through this ordeal, and by no means would I be the last. I came home to an attitude of “just keep your mouth shut, and go back to work” to which I politely did, for over 40 years…..but now I am no longer silent, hear me now, for I am legion. For a lot of my comrades, it was simply too much to ask of one individual, and it simply didn’t happen….EVER! A complete generation of our finest young men, that had seen and done way more than should be asked of anyone, who emotionally paid the price for their exploits, and have tried desperately to fit in society their whole lives, only to realize long after the fact their lives would never turn out that way. There were no parades, no parties, and definitely no flag waving for us back then. Instead, we simply did what we always did, we handled it ourselves, and adjusted the best way we knew how…..after all we WERE survivors, we could survive anything. “Society” could not handle us, and could not understand why we behaved the way we did. We were branded as “misfits”, but every one of us in our heart of hearts knew exactly why we acted the way we did, but absolutely no one would listen. Against all odds, and all those adverse situations, I have survived to be an old man. History unfolds before me, and I see that not one single thing has changed. The immorality of sending the finest youth this country has to offer into war, the reasons of which will always be debated among the masses, and then turning a blind eye when they return with mental and physical issues, is the MOST unconscionable, and disgraceful thing this government has ever done to it’s own. They did it in the past, and they’re doing the exact same thing now. In the name of “politics” we have forsaken the very ones who would die for the furthering of our way of life and our very freedom. To me, there is no bigger dishonor than that. Is it any wonder why we are where we are socially? Is it possible that this beloved country of ours, is beyond repair? Personally, I do not think that is the case, but if the current air of discontent doesn’t abate somewhat, and if our current elected officials don’t quit being so detached from the daily economic and social realities of those who put them into office, then we are doomed to our own demise. Apathy is the one thing I fear most, and it’s EVERYWHERE. Historically, to use a well worn cliché, “Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it” but every word the truth. Social tolerance of others and freedom of speech do NOT mean submission because of the slightest hint of offense, nor does it mean destroying your own culture simply to accommodate another for the reasons of political correctness run amok. Don Cordle
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:50:36 +0000
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