his autobiography sits on my shelf, great readI never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Benavidez personally. His Family has a Mexican restraunt in El Paso TX. on MacGruder street, just outside of Ft Bliss. It is called Carlos and Mickey’s. Fantastic food! They have numerous pictures of him along with the ones of him receiving the MOH from President Reagan.
I just spent a couple days at a Vietnam conference in Washington, DC with a lot of Vietname veterans and US diplomatic staff members (Foreign Service - AID, Embassy, FSOs, MACV, etc.)
I couldn’t begin to count the number of combat medals awarded them, the number of Purple Hearts they got (including my friend Mike Benge, former USMC and longtime AID rep. in the Central Highlands, “TET” POW from SVN, to Cambodia (Tiger cages), along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos to the Hanoi Hilton), and others who received the highest medals awards for valor and “distinguished service”.
These men and women are still defending their country, its’ honor, and are telling the truth about what happened back then.
They are talking to students from high schools to graduate schools, trying to bring new perspectives to the historical discussions and teachings that are going on, to give VN a historicl context re world affairs at that time, and to try and instill a pride in America that the Left (esp. the Democrats and the marxist professors), have been trying to dilute and destroy.
Sgt. Roy Benavidez was one of “them”. His actions were the same ones they performed in combat without any publicity even after they came home.
Today, our men and women who fought in Iraq (to liberate them from a fascist dictator, including my son), and in Afghanistan, to liberate them from religious fascists and global terrorists, are the next generation (including those from the first Gulf War), who are carrying on the selfless sacrifice and acts of bravey that Sgt. Benavidez showed.
The American “soldier” (of all services) is a noble creature, one who has performed acts of almost unthinkable bravery to bring freedom to so many around the world.
In a sense, they are all a “Roy Benavidez”, but are too often unsung, unrecognized, and un-thanked.
The men I was surrounded by this week are typical of Sgt. Benavidez, with no regrets, no apologies, having performed unheralded acts of bravery and have no intention of retreating from the meaning of their service and sacrifices.
Only a few blocks away from the conference was the White House and Congress. In my opinion, most of those in both buildings will never be able to hold their heads up in pride and sense of accomplishment such as that performed by to Sgt. Benavidez and my buddies.
This is a national disgrace. That is why the Vietnam veterans are needed as much today, to defend America, her honor, and her way of life, as they were 50 years ago.
They are still manning the ramparts of freedom and speaking out for the country they bled for. The story of Sgt. Benavidez is one of their legacies to the generations who follow. I hope that this legacy is preserved, not continually attacked, desecrated, and destroyed by those on the Left.
Awesome!
The screen’s all blurry. What’s up with that?
his autobiography sits on my shelf, great readMSG Benevidez lived in San Antonio after retirement. I used to see him around driving his car with MOH plates and in places like supermarkets.
It was a privilege to salute him and pass a few words with him. He was a consummate gentleman to all those with whom he came into contact.