Troopathon 2009: Gratitude from a ‘Dandy Lad’
by Leigh ScottI’m one of the few men in my family not to serve in the military. I am proud to say that I am not proud of this distinction. I regret not showing the valor of my Uncle Walter, who was captured by Germans, escaped, then allowed himself to be recaptured in order to spring some high level Resistance fighters from a concentration camp.
I feel less of a man because I did not lead my platoon through a leech infested swamp in the Pacific as my Uncle Lawrence did. I feel like a wuss because I did not, as my Uncle Zig did, capture an entire division of German soldiers.
My father was an Army sniper, his father was a member of the last active Cavalry unit, my other grandfather developed missile guidance systems. Cousins, uncles, great uncles, great-great uncles all served our country or currently serve.
Yet, despite this amazing bravery, this amazing willingness to self-sacrifice, the men in my family rarely talk about it. No bragging. No boasting. No condescension to the other “dandy lads” in the family like myself who have never had the honor of wearing our nation’s uniform.
We didn’t even know the accomplishments of my Uncle Zig until his funeral. Men we had never met, never heard of showed up to pay their respects. They were men in his platoon who’s lives he had saved. They shared stories of his bravery with us and Zig’s partner of 40 years, Ed. But Zig never shared these stories. I suspect it wasn’t because they were too painful or dramatic, but because he didn’t think much of it. It was “the right thing to do” the only thing to do when freedom and liberty are on the line.
The concept of the Troopathon is amazing. It’s so obviously a worthwhile cause one wonders why there aren’t events like this once a month. Heck, why not once a week?
It’s probably because the brave men and women in the military don’t ask for it. In fact, they don’t ask for anything. You know the old adage: “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” Well, what if the wheel doesn’t make a peep? What if the wheel selflessly risks its life on a daily basis for your freedom, my freedom, and the freedom of people around the world?
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11 Comments
Reminds me of an exchange between Commissioner Gordon and Batman in Batman Begins.
Gordon, "I never thanked you"
Batman, "And you'll never have to"
Except the real hero isn't wearing a bat costume, he or she is wearing fatigues with the American flag sewn on the sleeve…..
Each one has his own duty, some are soldiers, others writers. Some wear uniforms, others don't. Everyone is useful if he is a man or a woman of faith and goodwill. God Bless America.
another moving post…
all veterans have ever asked for is to be accepted as your neighbor, There is no shame in not having served, Mr Scott, for your heart is in the right place. Few want to go to faraway places, work tirelessly in dangerous conditions and leave their loved ones behind. However, few want to run into burning buildings, or work the ER in metro hospital, or patrol deserted highways late at night either.
It's just what some folk do…
I had a uncle that served with 6th MARDIV on Okinawa. I never knew this, until I got at letter from him while I was at MCRD San Diego, chiding me for being a "Hollywood Marine". He was a, far more manly, Parris Island Marine. I was thunderstruck. He never, ever talked about it. My cousins didn't even know about his even being in the Marine Corps, more or less doing time on Oki. It was much later, when I spent a lot of time around the Vietnam guys that I understood it more. After I earned their grudging respect and applied copiuous amounts of alcohol, they would open up. Very theraputic for them – I am a good listener when plied with great quantities of beer – and I was more than happy to do it. After you gain their trust, there isn't anything they would not do for you. They get seriously pissed off if you don't let them buy booze for you
I mean "fighting" mad.
Mr. Scott,
You have no reason to feel regret for not serving. There are other ways to serve this great country. For one, keep writing what you do. Keep reminding the younger generations of the sacrifices our fathers and grandfathers made so that we can all enjoy our freedom.
Cheers,
Aim High
Scott, sounds like a story with which I am familiar. My father courted my mother in the early 1940's but would not marry her until he returned from WWII. He was a fighter pilot flying a P-47 in the 56th Fighter group stationed in England. He flew several sorties until he was shot down over Belgium and sent to a German POW camp and held until the end of the war. He was there for 14 months. When he came back, he stayed in the Air Force and married my mother. She said he would not speak of those times.
He received orders for jet training in Florida and eventually was assigned to the Air War College at Maxwell AFB where he helped write the curriculum for the air combat strategy classes. When Korea started, he volunteered for active duty. I am told that he was home for my birthday on December 5 and left shortly thereafter for Kunson Air Base, South Korea. I was 5 years old. I had to be told because I barely remember him. Less than a hundred days after my birthday, he was shot down over North Korea and killed.
This fits the discussion.
Henry V:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Amen.
It's folks back home, maintaining that home, making it beautiful and comfortable (and that includes the squabbles and upsets one expects in an extended family of 300 million) – it's they that give us a reason to go. Yeah, we fight, but you give us something worth fighting for.
That's worth doing, too.
"It's the right thing to do."
And that's what will always separate Us from Them.
We see the bigger picture, we respect all walks of life, we sacrifice so that all may have freedom (or even the taste of it).
THEY think it's all about Them, that Their words and actions occupy our thoughts 24/7, and honestly cannot fathom our outrage.
God Bless Our Troops!!!
"I’m one of the few men in my family not to serve in the military." Now there's a surprise! A chickenhawk repubican who never served his country.
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