Opus 2018-269: Levels of Honor

Most veterans do not deserve to be honored as heroes.  What they need to be honored for is their sense of responsibility, duty and willingness to sacrifice.  Both are of great value to the country.

I am a veteran.  I served in Vietnam.  I was in places where people had been killed.  It was a genuine war zone.  At the same time, I am not a hero.  I never knew the horrors of combat or the sickening fear that someone might be drawing a bead on me.  Although there was some risk of death the greatest danger I had was boredom.  I don’t mind being thanked for my service but the real honor should be reserved for the warriors.

All warriors did not choose to be warriors.  In the Vietnam war most soldiers were drafted.  The honor comes from responding to the call of duty.  We did not seek exotic deferments or head to Canada.  After your physical it was pretty much the luck of the draw.  I went through training with men who had enlisted to be clerks so they would be spared combat.  My guess is that once in Vietnam many of them found they were handed a rifle and told to get in line.  To their credit, most served with honor.

Keep in mind that for every fighter pilot there are hundreds in support.  For every Ranger or Seal there are at least dozens in the background.  All serve.  Some give much more than others.  Some give the ultimate.

So I honor the warriors out there, past and present.  I who served, thank you for your service.

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