While rifling through papers strewn across my desk I chanced upon an article I had penned over two year ago.  I maintain copies of previous articles and from time to time review them to refresh my memory on past topics and to avoid redundancy.  This article is an exception.  It is a topic still relevant today and a message well worth repeating.  I have updated the content but the message remains the same.

At civic gatherings, organizational reunions and most of all at military remembrances and ceremonies, where old warriors tend to gather, I quite often share company with new generations of Americans donned in military dress proudly representing their branches of service.  There is a swell of personal pride that always accompanies these encounters along with the haunting words from a mostly forgotten Army ballad.  The words reflect the solemn expressions on their faces, as tattoos are sounded, flags are raised and salutes are rendered.

“When we were needed, we were there

              Well, it wasn’t always easy and it wasn’t always fair

              But when freedom called, we answered, we were there”

I am privileged to have served with my generation of soldiers and sharing anecdotes on the profession of arms with today’s younger warriors.  Spending time with these men and women is an honor and admittance to their confidence is a sacred trust. Within this fraternity is a very special group where admission is reserved for those who have “seen the elephant” as old soldiers would say about combat.

This group was portrayed with great accuracy and passion in the television mini-series “Band of Brothers”.  Inserted into this production was the scene of a seated old veteran alongside his young grandson as they together watched an episode.  The boy asked him a question, “Grandpa were you a hero in the war?”  The old man answered in reflective tone, but with moist eyes and firm conviction, “No son, I’m no hero he answered….but I was in the company of heroes”. 

The old veteran had borne the brunt of war and knew the truth.  The true heroes include those interred with comrades where valor proudly sleeps in Military Cemeteries and other locales.  Their sacrifice and service is honored by National days of remembrance, but there is another category of heroes:  our wounded warriors.  Often times they are acknowledged, but with only a cursory understanding of their plight.

For many veterans, the scars of war are permanent and deep.  Etched upon their bodies and souls is the reminder of their courage, valor and fidelity to this nation and to us the citizens they defended.  This alone tells only part of their story. Most don’t consider themselves heroes. In fact they shun the title of hero wishing only to return home and pick up the pieces of their lives torn apart by their wounds.  They, in their words, did their duty and only ask that we remember those whose wounds are far more critical, and those that paid the ultimate price for freedom.  These brave warriors are the ones referred to by General Douglas MacArthur when he pinned these words:

“The soldier above all others prays for peace.  For it is the soldier who must suffer    and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”

Every year, I, with respect and awe, watch as a contingent of veterans, some with hobbled walk, some on crutches, some in wheel chairs and others with assistance, advanced to be recognized for their service to country.  Replete with uniforms and medals attesting to their courage they proudly affirmed their faith, convictions and gratitude.  Theirs was a unified voice asking only that we continue as advocates and never forget those who could not attend the fete in their honor.

Here before me were some of the recently returning wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.  These, our sons and daughters and our neighbors’ sons and daughters, gathered in support of their fallen soldiers.  These are the ones who have known the metallic taste of fear, the smell of blood and cordite, the deafening sound of munitions and the horrors of conflict. This was a ceremony in honor of not only them but the many they represent; those in perpetual assistance, in V.A. hospital rehabilitation or released under continued care; the unseen casualties of war, to include those with emotional scars that will never heal.  We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid, yet all they ask for is a chance to get their lives back on track and for us to assist them in overcoming the obstacles they face.  Most know they face an uncertain future fraught with continued medical needs and limited options yet their convictions, attitudes and outlook are so positive.  A young wheelchair bound Marine from Covington perhaps best articulated the collective sentiments of the group when he said “Even knowing what I know today, I would still make the same decision that led me to military service”.  His name is Sergeant Matt Cole and he is my hero.   

Sadly, history sheds a different light on how soon we forget the sacrifices of our wounded warriors.  As Sir Rudyard Kipling so aptly noted in his epic poem “Tommy” (a story in poem about the plight of British veterans called “Tommies”):

“For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”

            But its “Savior of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot;

            An’ it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ anything you please;

            An’ Tommy ain’t a bloomin’ fool you bet that Tommy sees!”

Today these veterans are being returned to society and our community with little fanfare and fewer acknowledgements.  These, our proud wounded warriors, don’t ask for sympathy, a simple thank you would suffice.  What they do request, and it’s the least we can do, is to recognize their situation and honor the commitments we made to them and their families when we sent them in harm’s way.

To all who bear the scars of war, I salute you and close with a final quote from Kipling.  “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!”

All of us can honor these great Americans by supporting a local organization called “Support Our War Heroes”.  Becoming involved will allow you to directly support activities that offer much needed assistance to our wounded, and particularly, our severely wounded warriors from the “War on Terrorism”.   You can be involved.  Contact this great organization and be a part of something bigger than yourself.  On November 12, 2009 we will again salute these brave men and women.

My two cents…for what it’s worth. 

Support Our War Heroes

677E East I-10 Service Road

Slidell, LA 70461

985.649.8137

info@supportourwarheroes.org

www.supportourwarheroes.org