SPEAKING TO OUR YOUTH

(From the MyFamily.com 3/3 site postings)

Hey Guy's, my daughter is a sophomore in High School and can you believe they are studying the Nam war! They had a Chaplain to speak the other day but, this guy evidently didn't have a lot of information to give to them or he was a boring speaker because, my daughter said no one listened to what he had to say. Believe it or not, I am the only Father in her class that served in the war. The teacher found out that I served with the best outfit in the world and has ask me if I would consider saying a few words of what we actually went through.

Well, my question is: has anyone of YOU given a speech at a High School and, what can you say that these kids really want to hear? Is it blood and guts or is it the everyday life of a grunt in the bush with all the Hell we went through.

        I can't believe I'm this old!

Ron Greer

I'd tell it from the perspective of a 19-year-old kid, not much different from any of them in terms of ability to analyze things or worldview, being dumped in a totally hostile environment half a world away from home.   I'd talk about the days and weeks of alternately grueling hard work or boredom punctuated by moments of raw terror.

Talk about the relationships with the other guys where you would literally risk death, not so much for God, Country or the principles that make America great, but rather because someone you cared about was counting on you or needed your help.

By the way, you're not that old. None of us is. We have all stayed exactly the same and the rest of the world is shrinking into ever-greater youth.

Joe Cordileone

I think high school kids can handle to know more of what really happened there than you think. When I was graduating high school the war was just about over and the only thing I learned was the politics of the whole thing.   The protests, the lies and the cold reception you all got when you returned home.

That's what I learned.   And it's a sad and painful fact. I learned more as years went by, but I really learned the real facts a few years ago when I met so many of you.   No war is glamorous; it is a hellhole for everyone who fights. I know that now. And we civilians at least I want to know what a soldier goes through. After all we owe our freedom to all of you.

Hugs,

Tina Greaves

Well-stated Tina… Thank YOU!

Ron,

As a sophomore in HS, your daughter must be in the 15-16 year old range.   At this age, I think young minds are ready for almost anything, but can see through BS.   Honesty is foremost.

Tell them about how honorable it is to serve your nation, how it builds character.  

Tell them about the Band of Brothers and Semper Fidelis.

 

Tell them the truth about war... the uncertainty, the fear, the honor, the hate, the love, the deaths of your friends, the horrific wounding, and the ghosts that linger forever.

 

But remind them of the pride of having given so that they possess the things that they have today, and the ability to make their own future at their own volition due to the sacrifices of those that have gone before them.

Tell them of the tears that flow as we remember those that gave so much more than ourselves.   Tell them of the heroes that gave above and beyond...

Tell them that veterans have given, all veterans... and that these men and women should be forever revered for their gift to our nation.

Tell them to be the best that they possibly can... they are our hope for the future.

But most of all, tell them that we love them.

Semper Fi

Doc Hoppy 

Tell-em missing body parts is WAR, and if there yours, it's HELL . I remember. "War is HELL"… We got bombed; this guy says “I'm OK but my legs are a little numb.”   Well, he had no legs and he died.  Damn !

Ken

Ken,

We all know these things, and we all have our "ghosts". Johnny Got His Gun explains that side of things very well.   I read it at about age 14 or 15.   It affected me profoundly.   I didn't know at that time that I would be in war... not a clue.

 

I hate war as much (or more) than anyone, and I have my moments of angst as the memories return.   They will always be there... the tears will flow. Yet we cannot just turn the other cheek, lying down to be trod upon.   Some wars will be just, some not.   Our youth will serve and sacrifice into the unforeseeable future... this will not change; our avarice as well as that of others will perpetuate it.

 

Our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters may be required to sacrifice for the future of this nation.   They will do so, regrettably... but we must remain grateful that they do.  We will weep for them, too.   Yet we will honor them for what they do and the sacrifices they make, and yes even the horrors they endure.  We gave, and they will give.

 

The greatest sadness is in the necessity.

Doc Hoppy

Ron, everyone has given good advice to you.   I'm a highschool teacher and you will be asked did you kill anybody or how many people did you kill.   Answer that one as you will.  

Tell them what it was like living in the boonies, the heat, bugs, leeches, body numbing humps carrying a hundred pounds of gear +, and the swell time you had living in the mud and water of the rainy season.  

Tell about the stupid work details you were given just to keep you busy.   And last but not least tell them about bond that developed amongst a band of brothers whose lives depended on each other.

Bill Hackworth

3/3 RVN Vol I Issue 3   05/01/2005         Remember Colorado Springs 2006    Page 5