Gloria,
I have really enjoyed the great work you do and the time and effort that you put into the Ro-Hawk Blog. It is a pity that someone had to take advantage of the system and destroy the ability of others to communicate due to their unnecessary comments.
I was inspired by the article entitled “A Soldier Died Today”. As you know Patty and I have been going back to Vietnam since 1989. I had the privilege to serve this country as a Ranger on the ground and as an Army Aviator. Vietnam was not very popular, but many men and women answered the call and served this country well. They were our peers who came from the Randolph Ro-Hawks and Schertz Cibolo High. “Our Cause Was A Just Cause” We carried out our school spirit, and the banner of our country to help free another country from communist aggression. It was not a question if it was right or wrong. We answered the call. Some of our brothers, sisters, fathers, aunts, and uncles, did not come home, and their sacrifice was not in vain just as the men and women who serve our country today here and abroad.
Patty and I often conduct the communion service for the veterans that travel back with us each summer. I have attached what I wrote for the 2002 Journey Back Service. If you would like to post it on your blog you can. If not that is fine also. It is a tribute to all who serve this great country and their relationship with our Father.
Corky and Patty Smith
smithc@ntsb.gov
Journey Back, 2002
It has been said that real soldiers stand together.
It is with this truth in mind that I write you this letter.
The life of a soldier is one that few understand. That life will change you.
You learn that life, as a soldier is one that brings about a unique family.
A family that does everything together.
You survived boot camp together. You go to chow together. You laugh and sing and drink... together.
In the quiet moments, you speak of home and of those you
Love...together.
On the battlefield where death and destruction are ever present; you protect one
Another; you bleed for one another; and you weep for one another... and in time you come to love one another as brothers.
As a soldier you live by a different standard. You live by different words.
Words such as "Siemper Fi" Always faithful. The Para-rescue units live by the
Words "That others May Live". Honor and Duty.
The Rangers have a code. "Complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor" and never leave a
fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy."
I wanted you to know that I have been your sacrifice.
When you were standing the night watch, I was with you.
When you were pinned down by the enemy; I was there;
When your strength was giving out, and your courage almost gone;
I was with you...when you were afraid... I was with you...
I am with you still...
You see, I know what it is like to take the night watch and stand-alone...
I know what it is like to miss home...
I know what it is like to be afraid to die... and to weep in the darkness
I know the heart that it takes to rise above the fray for a cause that is greater than
Your own life...
I know what it is like to climb a hill under impossible odds, to be
wounded, to suffer and die... I know.
"There is no greater love than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
I wanted you to know that there is a day that is coming soon. A day
when we will all gather together.
We will raise the cup of Freedom and Peace together.
We will laugh and sing... tell our stories and we will heal... together... this I promise
From one soldier to another... We will stand... and we will be Free ... and we will be...
Home... Together.
Together in Arms
1 comment:
Gloria,
Corky Smith's item, "Welcome Back, 2002" is one of the best notes you've ever had on the blog. I have read and re-read it. I copied it and will be forwarding it to a group of veterans I stay in touch with even after all of these years. Corky has such great insights on the unique nature of military service, particularly service in a combat zone.
I noted Corky's comment in his e-mail about our cause being just in Vietnam. For the last half dozen years of my work life, my office wall held a black flag with a map of Vietnam and the symbols of units who served there. The caption was "Our cause was just." When I retired, the folks in my unit had that flag framed for me, and it sits across from my desk in my study at home. In December, it will be 38 years since I left Vietnam. Most of the men in my unit returned and have since died of natural causes. But sometimes when I go to our Nation's Capital, I go in the early morning and lean with a hand against the wall on the names of men who were denied that chance because they chose to serve in that just and controversial cause.
This comment really has no point other than to share my appreciation for what Corky wrote and you included on our blog. Just wanted you to know.
Thanks and God bless,
Jerry Ball
Post a Comment