Posted on 11/21/2007 9:45:27 AM PST by K-oneTexas
The Significance of Our Freedoms by Major Spencer Guida, USA
November 17, 2007
Patriotic Americans constitute a unique community...we understand the purpose of honoring our veteran’s for their unwavering protection of our country, our rights and our way of life. Most of us either know veterans or work with them, while many are veterans themselves. Because of this, Veteran’s day has different meanings for everyone, and everyone reflects on it’s significance in different ways.
I was asked to give a soldier’s perspective on Veterans Day, and the best way I can do that is my relaying a personal story that comes to mind for me ever year on Veteran’s Day, why it’s personally important to remember the sacrifices of those who came before me, and those that will follow. Bear with me...
It was April 1972, in South Vietnam near the town of An Loc. (I was just about to turn two years old). The North Vietnamese Army had transitioned from a campaign of insurgency, to a full blown traditional Soviet style assault with all the expected tanks, massed infantry, missiles and supporting artillery. This was the type of battle the US was prepared to fight, unfortunately is was towards the end of the war and the friendly forces consisted of the dismounted infantry from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam with a handful of US advisors on the ground.
Outnumbered, The US advisors called in support from AC130 gunships and B52s to hold the enemy infantry at bay, but the T54 and PT76 tanks continued to roll through the streets towards the last defensive positions of friendly forces.
As a young captain was about out of ammunition and ideas, his position about to be overrun, he heard the unmistakable sound of the AH-1 Cobras from D Troop, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion.
Quickly gaining radio contact, he directed the “snakes,” a nickname for the Cobra, towards the tanks to his immediate front. Diving through a hail of anti-aircraft, small arms and surface to air missiles, the Cobras destroyed the column of tanks in place, but not without suffering their own losses.
Fast forward 23 years, it’s 1995 and I’m a 2LT at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. I have just driven up to the post office during my lunch break. As I gather my items to mail, an older gentlemen walking by skids to a halt in front of my car like he’s seen a ghost, staring intently at my license plate, then at me.
As I apprehensively step out of the car, the man approaches and says in a stern voice, “Are you assigned to that unit son?” pointing to my license plate. I nod, “Yes I am.” Coming closer and staring at my badges, he says, “Are you a chopper pilot?” Before I could finish my sentence, he grabs my shoulder with one hand, squeezing me and shaking my hand as if I had just won the lottery, and starts to thank me profusely. I’m completely taken back , as he certainly has me confused with someone else.
Still bewildered, he explains that it was him on the ground in An Loc, and those cobras, that saved his bacon, were from the 229th, the same unit portrayed on my license plate. As I begin to explain that I was just a scout pilot and not an attack driver he cuts me off short, saying, “It was your unit, I think of all of you the same.” He recollects the events on the ground that day and finishes by telling me that every time he sees a Cobra flying, he stops his car, gets out and salutes.
He wanted to ensure I knew what my unit was responsible for, and the sacrifice of those men was not forgotten because not all of those pilots, or men on the ground, lived to be called Veterans and how my unit would fill the same role today, how important our mission was to the man on the ground. Little did I know at the time it would be my generation decisively engaged in a Global War within 6 years.
The moral of this story? Veterans don’t forget. They don’t forget the sacrifices made or the true cost of freedom. And neither should we. They don’t necessarily need a day to remember, although many times they wish they could forget, wondering why they made it back but their buddy to the left or right did not.
With that in mind, what constitutes suitable recognition for the men and women that have, and continue to, voluntarily put themselves in harms way upholding our Constitution and securing our way of life? Is it by parades, ceremonies or flying of old glory? These are all good things for sure, providing a visual reminder of a thankful nation.
As I looked for inspiration for this writing, I re-read parts of our Constitution, focusing on the Bill of Rights. If asked, I would personally wager that most Veterans would be suitably thanked if we all took advantage of the freedoms provided by their sacrifices. That we don’t take for granted the simple things we enjoy on a daily basis. Because...
The security of a nation and unalienable rights are merely words unless backed by the resolve of men and women willing to fight for those ideals. So in the waning light of this Veterans’ Day passed, celebrate the simple freedoms protected by our veterans. Write your congressman, tell him what you think. Go to your favorite house of worship or none at all – your choice.
Head out to the firing range, read any book. One better, send a note or email to someone oversees, just to say you’re thinking of them and thankful for their service. Enjoy the blanket of freedom provided by our veterans and when the day is done take the time to discuss with your families the significance of our freedoms. Veterans haven’t forgotten, neither should we.
Major Spencer Guida is an officer in the United States Army.
Truer words were never spoken. We will include our brave military in our prayers of thanks this Thanksgiving Day.
BTTT
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