Think first of the troops - Published in the Holland Sentinel on April 16, 2007
The following is a history lesson from a Vietnam veteran. "When I returned from Vietnam in 1968, I was treated like a criminal. While still in Thailand I had secured two tickets over two months in advance on TWA from L.A. to Wichita. One was first class and the other coach. Why? I had been forewarned that the airlines were not honoring the tickets of uniformed military personnel. I had a planned stop at my dad's in L.A. so I could meet my brothers and sisters for the first time, which was so important to me that I delayed getting home to my wife and three children after being gone a year from them.
"After that wonderful visit I arrived at the L.A. airport and learned it was spring break and the planes were loaded with college students going skiing in Arizona. As I stood there I caught stares of anger and disgust from other passengers. I was told by the gate clerk that in spite of having two tickets, there was no room for me on the airplane and I would not be allowed to board. I was one of about six military personnel trying to get home on that flight and none of us were allowed to board.
"Fortunately, there was one person who was openly outraged by this injustice. He loudly insisted that I be allowed to board that plane and return home to my wife and children after being gone a year, serving my country. It was my dad! He made such a fuss that security and supervisors arrived to control the situation.
"In the end, TWA refused to remove any passenger to give me a seat, but did pay a couple to hold their 3-year-old child in their lap to Flagstaff so I could have a seat. Finally, I hugged my dad and boarded the plane under the angry stares of the passengers, especially the college students, dodging the draft and on a holiday. Luckily, the plane from Flagstaff to Wichita was 75 percent empty.
"The Vietnam War Monument in Washington, D.C. was an apology of sorts from the American people for all the hate and pain they put on us and our families as a result of the fervor raised by the media and liberals during that period. Families, including mine, were threatened with suffering and even death, while we were serving in Vietnam. My wife received a number of threatening phone calls and some of these people even came to our home. Eventually, my family had to be protected by local police and federal agents prior to my return. You have no idea how she suffered alone, nor how I endured fear for her safety and that of my children, while thousands of miles from home.
"Freedom is never free or paid off. Please think about what the actions of the few have on the lives of all. Truth is only known when sought and is not found on the 6 o'clock news. Seek the truth and don't let another's agenda influence you. Look on both sides and decide for your self."
This letter carries special meaning for me, as I was one of the three children in this story. I do not frequently hear tales like this from my father or other veterans I know. Most just accept the negative events of their pasts and press on with their lives.
As we debate the necessity of war, supporting our troops and the funding of military operations abroad, we should consider the impact of such debates on the people who are most directly affected, -- the service member and his/her family. If we think of them first, maybe we will choose our words and actions more carefully, thereby avoiding a repeat of past transgressions.
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