National POW/MIA Recognition Day - September 19, 2014 I still recall with horror the thought of being captured by the North Vietnamese Army or the Viet Cong. We had been schooled on their methods of torture prior to going there, and the nightmares that I have - though not that often any more, thank God - often find me in the middle of nowhere, attempting feverishly to find my way back to the base camp that I called home during my thirteen-month tour. On one particular occasion, I experienced that “hair-standing-up-on-the-back-of-my-neck” feeling as Private Ornelaz and I were making our way by jeep back from one of our fire bases located at a place called Con Thien. It was late in the afternoon when we started toward our base camp, located west of the village of Dong Ha on Highway 9, not too many miles from the village of Cam Lo. We usually went in the safety of a convoy, but occasionally we traveled alone. Looking back, it was foolish but, as the logistics chief for 4th Battalion, 12th Marines, part of my responsibility was checking on our gun crews to see if they needed ammo and/or other supplies. I knew that it was dangerous being out on the open road that late in the day. The dirt roads were mined frequently, and Highway 9 was no exception. Additionally, an ambush was always a possibility. We celebrated our safe return quietly, without fanfare. I never did a lone run again. As I think of the meaning of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, my mind goes back to that jeep ride. Remembering how I felt just thinking about being captured, I hurt for those who were, and who died alone and afraid, far from home and family, far from anyone who would ever know what happened to them. I ache for their family members and friends, especially the children, who had no choice but to learn to live with that awful sense of unknowing. Some were eventually notified of deaths, while others never received an answer. Sadly, some died waiting, without ever knowing. “You are not forgotten” is the phrase written in white letters on the familiar black POW/MIA flag. This flag, and especially these words, symbolize our commitment to those American service members who were captured, or who were missing in action on battlefields in many parts of our world. Today I will remember these words, pray for all those affected, and spend some down time thanking God that I did not suffer this fate. It’s a small thing to do. Blessings and peace, De Hillyer, battalion chaplain, Semper Fidelis Health & Wellness
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:13:51 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015