Remember Charlie, Remember Baker …
As I sit here listening to Billy Joel’s “Goodnight Saigon“, I’m reminded of my wait at my local Chinese takeout place last night as I waited for dinner. After I’d paid for my order, I did as I normally do and went to sit down at the back of the eat-in area at one of the tables for two. I watched as a biker guy came in, then followed by a black couple in their 50s or so. I people-watched out of the corner of my eye, wondering what would come of this.
The men struck up a conversation, originally about motorcycles; it ended up that they were both Vietnam veterans. They talked about that for a while, and as I eavesdropped on their conversation, I had this overwhelming urge to go and thank them for their service.
It then occurred to me that this is one of the few times in my life I’ve heard Vietnam vets swap war stories; I guess Dad’s fellow officers just weren’t the type to talk about that, especially Col. Jim, who spent six years, four months, and three days in the Hanoi Hilton after getting shot down over Thud Ridge.
As I left with my shrimp lo mein, I knew that I was passing up my last chance to thank them. Then iTunes smacks me in the face again … :sigh: The Vietnam conflict was horribly run, awfully prosecuted, and terribly ended, but the guys at the sharp end of the stick are just doing what they’re told to do, even when they know that the war’s “goals” were crap.
I wish I could go back and thank those guys.
A good reminder to act on the opportunities that are presented to us… Thanks, Geof.
April 27th, 2005 at 11:20 am[...] un-American Microsoft To Add A Black Box To Windows Organizing projects with Tasks Pro Remember Charlie, Remember Baker Sprint Tower Maps BBC NEWS [...]
May 1st, 2005 at 12:22 pmIf you want to thank the vets that have served our country so well, at such a great personal cost I highly recomend the following 1. Register and vote. (A priviledge that many have fought and died for) 2. Contact your congressmen as they continue to cut benefits to those that have served.
Sincerely,
Pat Morris
June 4th, 2005 at 9:24 am(a vet)
Next time someone meets a veteran do thank them!!!
June 5th, 2005 at 7:09 amThey really apreciate it and especially ‘nam veterans deserve all the recognition they can get for their service to the United States of America.
I stumbled across this site and after reading the main post it reminded me of the father of a recent fallen Marine in Iraq. He felt so hopeless and thought there was nothing he could do, so he, and some of he’s WWII vet friends go down to their airport (Chicago, O’Hare) and wait every day for the flights that come in and stand in line and Thank all of them for a job well done.
Please, never pass up an opportunity to shake the hand of any Armed Force Vet. They all deserve it. I wish it had been that way when we can back in 1970 from Nam.
Semper Fi
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:33 am