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Reflections
As I sit here today, some 36 years and 8 months after going into the Army and serving in Vietnam, I reflect back on so many things. One thing I have noticed is that there are no more what if's, now it is simply this is the way it is.
I sit here in pain in my left shoulder I blame on a car wreck but was most likely from a fall down a ravine one night on patrol, I have battled with PTSD for over 35 years and for about 30 of those years never knew what it was. I live my life to the best of my ability.
Sure the war had an affect on me that has been with me all this time and will never go away, but deep down inside I also have the pride of knowing that regardless of what some people say I did the right thing and for that I have been blessed many times over. I think of all my fellow Veterans on this day and wish them all well, I want to tell them all that what we did was not in vain, we have kept this country free. In spite of all of its faults America is still the best country and it's because we are free.
There is a ribbon on my front door, Freedom is not free. Some of us must pay the price but always do it humbly and never expect anything in return. If you want to take pride just look around and you will feel it when you see that a child is free to become who they want to in life, what a wonderful gift. War also taught me to always help anyone I can as long as they are trying and I have always lived by that, it taught me sacrifice without hesitation. I learned a lot I can be thankful for and proud of. I will always be thankful that I contributed in some small way to creating the greatest country there is. I thank God that he gave me the opportunity to be an American Veteran.
God Bless America and all of it's Veterans on this day!
Mike
Night Badger November 11, 2005 ©
For permission to use or share contact the author Mike
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Last updated on November 14, 2005
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