I've got a (real) good friend, it was 2 years before I knew he was a Marine another 2 before he mentioned he was recon in Nam. Even to this day (and it's been 20+ years it's hard to get him to talk about it.
30 yrs later vet gets Purple Heart
Miscellaneous Announcement
Source: Mendota Review
Published: 3/4/01 Author: Carlin Larson
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3ab4096c26fa.htm
Posted on 03/17/2001 17:03:40 PST by Valin
Over 30years ago thomas Mohs was asked if he wanted a Purple Heart. He was wounded in 1969 while serving in a reconnaissance unit during the Vietnam war. Mohs chose not to accept the award, saying others were more deserving.
Humility stayed with Mohs (52) and three decades later, he still shuns occasions where his efforts are praised. However his family is determined not to let is heroic efforts and those of other veterans go unrecognized.
Mohs grew up in south mpls and was the third child of a family of 13 children. After graduating from south high school, he joined the US Marines Corps and served with the 3rd Recon Marines in Vietnam. Althought he was wounded, he fulfilled his tour awyway.
(snip)
Indeed. Contrast your friend with the current Democratic nominee. One can't go to the bathroom without mentioning his 'service', the other has to have any mention of it dragged out of him.
I know which one I'd trust behind me in bad guy country.
That fits with my observation: Generally speaking, those who say the least, did the most, and vice versa.
One of my co-workers died last month. I worked with him for at least ten years. I didn't know he was a Vietnam veteran until his funeral when his daughter was presented with his flag.
Real heros don't have to talk about it, I guess.
I dated this really nice guy for a while. I knew he had been in the military. I did not know he had been a Green Beret - until a friend of mine came up behind him and 'poked' him in the back. Needless to say, that friend never did that again.