An old sailor sheds a tear on the prairie

American Thinker.com ^ | November 24, 2021 | Jerry Powlas

[Kaslin]

You can't ever go home again. Every sailor wants to go home, but home is a place in time and space, and so the thing he left is gone. It has moved on and won't be the place it was when he left.

Every sailor who has tried to go home knows this truth. If the sailor wore a uniform and fought in a war, there is more truth to deal with. The place he left will be radically changed by the war. The sailor will be radically changed as well.

If he fought in the Vietnam War, he and his brothers in uniform would learn that many of the people who didn't go to war didn't want them to come home. The people "at home" thought of him as a war criminal, and he thought they were cowards, slow-moving zombies who could not think for themselves. This gap would not close easily. In fact, it would widen for decades. There was very little respect between those who went and those who stayed home.

I figured out pretty fast that I was not going to get any ticker-tape parades.

The clock ticked relentlessly on. Silence was the best medicine. The unspoken message was, "Don't mention those things. They won't understand." But about 40 years after I tried to "go home," somebody thanked me for my service. That had never happened before. Not once. Surprised and shocked, I had no idea how to respond. Later, I went to Tea Party meetings and was touched that each meeting began with the request that veterans stand and be acknowledged.

[HighSierra5]

Nothing pisses me more than a commie puke bad mouthing a combat veteran. Especially when it’s their people in higher places that get us into some of these pointless wars. It doesn’t take away the honor that these veterans deserve.

[PIF]

All of us who served during those terrible times should be so lucky as to receive the recognition the author got.

[pfflier]

This is a story about the heartland, the part of America that the liberals despise.

I found the story to be right on the mark about the feelings I have about those times and now.

[rktman]

Well, it’s only been 51 years for me. :-} But, I find this tale highly relatable. It was a long, long time before really discussing my time in with anyone. It just wasn’t brought up. Over the past 10 to 15 years, a LOT of folks have thanked me. Prior to that, not so much. I thanked a lot of serving folks during that time. Even secretly paid for a meal or two for vets. Youngest daughter and grandkid both served and I ensured they were honored. We don’t miss out on attending the Veterans Day parade downtown. This year was a little smaller than in the past since the high schools ROTC groups were “covided” out of the event. Still a nice parade though. Thanks to those that have laid it on the line.

[VF-51vnv]

Been there done that.69,70,&71.Hancok19,Coralsea43.Then I was recommended & transferred to”Top Gun” 4 years, best
4 years of my life. Aviation Ordnance. I wear my hat proudly ever day. I have had numerous people tell me, “thanks” for my service. God bless them all.

[PIF]

Well, it’s only been 51 years for me. :-}
—

51 here also.

[rktman]

Thanks for your service. The ‘65-’75 era was somewhat of a disturbing time to be in uniform regardless of what your assignment was. At home or abroad. I’m way better now. LOL! I’ve had folks who didn’t serve give me there “I was gonna join....” stories. I harbor no ill feelings. Some of us did, some of us didn’t.

[PIF]

Thanks for your service. The ‘65-’75 era was somewhat of a disturbing time to be in uniform regardless of what your assignment was. At home or abroad.

—
Thank you also. Turkey - Det 4, Germany Det M, and the States - NSA here. Took 7 years living in self built cabin in woods for me to get better.