Posted on 02/11/2013 5:22:42 PM PST by SeekAndFind
“ultimately it’s the tale of a hero abandoned. No pension(!), no health care(!!), family troubles, little help transitioning to the private sector”
Heroes and non-heroes alike shouldn’t have to worry about going back to private life and living as most Americans do without government help.
The no pension, no health insurance, no help is the situation of many a taxpaying citizen.
The real story is not that he wants a pension, insurance and other help, the real story is that after 16 years as a SEAL, having to live as the rest of America does under the burden of government and regulation, he finds it so hard that even someone who knows extreme mental and physical hardship finds it unbearable.
It is what government has wrought upon us that this man cannot simply rely on his ably-demonstrated wits, his personal fortitude, and his hard work to provide the things that he needs to be successful.
This guy has an interesting story to tell, and he may well be able to personally profit from it. I wish him well.
Why single out Ira Hayes?
Why not John Bradley?
He was there also, going on on to have a very successful career, raise a family and never spoke of his involvement (his son wrote 'Flags of our Father' and never knew the full story.
Ira Hayes found solace in alcohol, Mr. Brady responded differently.
Both men experienced the same thing, while responding differently. You cannot blame that on the government (though they are not w/o sin in the whole thing).
Correction: Mr. Bradley
I’d bet, with this guy’s military resume, he’d be welcomed back to the service for his remaining 4 years. Something isn’t adding up, and it seems like there was some odd reason why he bailed. I don’t know what his deal is, and we may never know what’s really happened here, but as I said, he’d be welcomed back, if he is healthy enough to serve.
Exactly.
Put it down to my contrary nature. But what I was trying to point out is that the idea that there was some kind of Golden Age when any American Hero was carried around on a velvet cushion is just a tad bit off the mark.
For one thing most of them would have (and still will) take that cushion away from you and smack you with it.
For another most of the heroes are people that you and I have never heard of.
Yesterday and today we have had heroes who have been treated badly and we have had heroes who have been treated well.
We have also had Heroes who have behaved badly both before and after their heroism and Heroes who have behaved well both before and after their heroism.
I have a nephew, former ranger, served in Afghanistan, before the shooting started, doing recon, (he is about 5'6", maybe 140 soaking wet), he later did several 'tours' doing private security in Iraq.
Never talks about it (except to his dad). Whenever he was asked (such as by his cousins) his standard comment is:
"War stories are for the drunk at the end of the bar, and they are usually full of #hit."
He g
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