Posted on 10/10/2002 2:05:51 PM PDT by wallcrawlr
Edited on 04/13/2004 3:37:26 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
As he waited to receive his medals Wednesday from a major who was 10 years old when the Vietnam War ended, William Cochrane sat quietly with his wife, Susan, surrounded by members of his family.
He knew that his parents, Bud and Yvonne Cochrane, had come from Florida. He knew his brothers and sisters would be there, flanked by nieces and nephews. Some of his four children would be at Fort Snelling, too, but Billy was at college in Arizona.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Recognition delayed, is recognition denied.
BTW, I really fries my bacon that the press always describes combat vets as damaged. The story says the war "took a heavy toll" on him. This guy was a hero who did his duty to his country, has a successful long term marriage, fathered four kids and had a civilian career. He breaks the stereotype.
I'm only 33, but it has a major impact on me. Knowing I've lived a rather easy life because men and women of honor and courage have given their service and, in countless cases, their lives for what they beleived in is a sobering and humbling thing.
My father successfully completed 200 and later lost a war with cancer. I proudly display all his medals over my home office area along with pictures of his final mission.
These guys are my heroes . . .and . .
God's mighty hedge of protection over the HEROES that continue to cut off the fingers of Lucifer in the Mideast and prepare to decapitate the serpent of Iraq. Kill 'em all!
War takes a heavy toll on every soldier, every marine, every sailor. The dowding press makes me sick! They covered the protests and that ilk while brave men came home in coffins. They waved a white flag on the evening news while brave men fought for their lives a half a world away. They covered the war and print/spoke lies in their "journalistic" reporting. But I can never remember them covering a funeral at Arlington for a fallen soldier that gave the last full measure for his country, unless it was to push their pack of lies. Of course I can't remember these things because I was in Viet Nam, in harms way for the country I love more than my own life. I was too busy defending Her.
God bless this man, for he is my brother. Wouldn't you know that the (Red) Star Tribune would try this emotional crap.
It will backfire. Notice what the guy said when asked about the dreary stuff...."How 'bout those Twins"! I know Viet Nam Vets, I am one. We'll never forget the hell we went through, but we will cherish the reason for which we did it. No amount of hippy spit on my uniform could take away it's honor, or my pride, or the dignity that I wore it with. Most times, we(Nam Vets) just don't want to talk about it. The lefties want to interpret this as some mality, some weakness, or disease. Not true at all. We just want to get on with our lives. We did what was asked of us by our country. WW-2 Vets are the same way, as are those from Korea. Sure, we have bad dreams but so do the lefties, so does everybody. Notice that this guy is really doing well, as a matter of fact, it sounds like he's doing great. 99% of real metal winners say the same thing: "I was just doing my job....no big deal". But that's a notion that the lefties will never understand. They will just write letters to their draft boards to get out of military service, loathing the military (Bubba). The country needs that "shucks, it ain't nothin'" kind of hero and it's got 'em. You wouldn't believe where it's got 'em. They are all around you! Don't look, cause they don't want to be found. It's between them and their country, and they want to keep it that way.
Awesome post . . . I tear up when men like you share your heart. May God continue to bless your heart, your family and this Country you honorably served. Salute!
There is a bond between a patroit and his country. It's a bond of life and liberty. One day you are a young man enjoying the peace and freedom, and the loved ones around you. The next day you are in the middle of a war to defend that thing that you love, and left. The stark reality of that changes you forever. Priorities change, and the man changes. He changes for the better, if he let's the magic work. No longer a boy, he is now a man!
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