Posted by
Ender on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 2:40:43 PM
His name was Dalton.
At the time, he was a young man. Not long married, he joined the marines during the second world war, and after training, was sent out to the pacific front to serve. He even ended up on Iwo Jima during that famous battle.
He wasn't directly on the field of battle. Having been a machinist during civilian life, Dalton was one of those tasked with maintaining the guns used by those who went out. Still, he was there, and he easily could have been killed. Fortunately, he wasn't, and was able to return after the war to his wife and home. He then lived out his life, finally passing away at the age of eighty-eight earlier this year.
While I knew him, Dalton wasn't really much interested in speaking about his time in service. His wife would gladly regale you with stories of her time as 'Rosie the Riveter' during the period while he was gone, but Dalton never really said much about his service. Considering what I know of war (all secondhand) and what I knew of him, I'm not that surprised.
In several ways, Dalton was one of the lucky ones. Definitely among his immediate brothers-in-arms; as mentioned, he was one of those who survived and was able to return pretty much unharmed. Had I ever overcome my unwillingness to pry, I'm sure he could have provided me with the names of hundreds he had known who weren't given that gift. (Whether he would have or not is another story.) However, in at least one other way, Dalton and those who fought with him were extremely lucky. You see, when they returned home, it was as heroes. Fast forward a few generations, and they might have been coming home to disdain and ridicule, as those who followed in their footsteps did during the Vietnam Era. Not among those who knew them, but those who didn't, and somehow thought that made their statements more fit.
The American people have chosen to let themselves be represented by individuals, both in the executive and legislative branches, who seem to have been raised on the same mindset as that which 'greeted' returning soldiers from Vietnam. I sorrow over this, but the decision is made. Still, considering the anti-military mindset of our current leading lights, and of those who have, sadly, bought into their tales, it's possible we'll see a resurgence of the vehement anti-soldier sentiments of Vietnam, along with the general disdain for the 'brutes' who are yet willing to spend their own lives to protect the rest of us.
The old guard is quickly fading, through sheer age as much as anything else. Those who rise to take their place are few in number, and often doing so under a cloud of disdain, contempt, and in some cases, outright hatred. And yet they still choose to serve. This is the amazing part; even despite what they're subjected to, they still choose to serve - their sense of honor, and of duty, lead them to make a sacrifice those who mock them will probably never understand.
If you have ever served in the American military, any branch, then you have my sincerest thanks for what you've offered and given for this nation and those within it. If you're still in active service at this time, you have my fervent prayers as well, for safety against assaults from without and within.
If you haven't served in the military, I'm sure you know someone who has or is. Find them and thank them. It's the least they deserve, even though I suspect many of them wouldn't see it that way.
Please, for those who are willing to give their all for the safety of our nation, grant honor where it is due.