On November 9, members of American Legion Post 38 visited the Middle School to participate in a Veterans Day program that included an assembly and classroom discussions between veterans and students.
Here is the assembly address from Dan Colombi, Commander of Post 38:
You’ve already heard much about Veterans Day, and I’ll try not to be repetitive.
Veterans Day is largely intended to fulfill 3 missions:
• First – To thank veterans for their service to our country
• Second – To acknowledge an appreciation for the veterans’ contribution to national security, and
• Third – To underscore this truth: That all those who serve, have sacrificed to do their duty.
When these three missions have been accomplished, then Veterans Day has been successful.
My own service time in the Viet Nam War has been alluded to by Mr. Farrell and Mr. Baird. My US Air Force mission at Clark Air Base in the Republic of the Philippines originally was to act as physicians to USAF women on active duty and to the dependent wives and daughters of men on active duty, and to the female workers, teachers, etc. on this very large air base. This was not unlike what I had been doing for several years before going into military service.
Then on January 30, 1968, the North VietNamese and the Viet Cong launched the 100-city Tet offensive. My life changed dramatically when I volunteered the following day to do surgery as part of the air evacuation team of which Clark Hospital was a major hub.
I had had some surgical training as part of my internship and residency years and was fortunate to have several highly trained surgeons to get me up to speed for trauma surgery. As I expected, our hospital, though large and well equipped, was swamped by the number of injuries to the American and ROK (Koreans) in Viet Nam fighting. What made this more difficult was that I was still responsible for my original mission as well. The number of patients tripled, but the number of doctors remained more or less constant.
I stayed with this for eighteen months. If asked to elaborate more on this in the classroom, I will, otherwise I’d like to shift to a different aspect of the Viet Nam War. I had been asked to offer some comments on these times and my reflections on the Viet Nam War. I’m told that at least some of you are studying this right now:
Unlike the other 20th century wars that preceded our involvement in Vietnam, (1957 to 1975), there were extraordinarily deep divisions among Americans about the wisdom and rightness of our fighting a war in Viet Nam. There had been protestors against the other wars as well, but these were nothing like the protests of the Viet Nam era. People took sides and spoke fervently, passionately and very demonstratively on both sides.
As is the case with most passionate disagreements, both sides felt that their position was the right one. There was certainly violence, and flag burning, and draft card burning, and taunting … some of which resonates with me today. The taunting that went:”HO-HO-HO-CHI-MINH, VIETNAM IS GONNA WIN” still rankles. But I understood then, as I understand now, that democracy fosters protest.
That war has been over for 34 years, so, except for a day like today, I try not to think about that painful part of it, and to concentrate instead of remembering those who were called upon to give all that a person can give, and I remember also the ones who were prepared to make that same sacrifice in the line of duty if it were so demanded, even though that demand was never made. I remember the devotion to duty, and the gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they pursued, however imperfectly, their cause … the cause of freedom. And I remember that they did so with uncommon courage. That's one man’s perspective on that time long ago. Others will share theirs with you in the classroom visit.
I would like now to return to the broader subjects of all veterans and the Veterans Day service. As part of that, I want to challenge our middle schoolers to do some soul-searching and self-examination, with questions such as these:
• What does freedom mean to you? And what would you sacrifice to protect it? And, even if you honestly, and respectfully oppose a war, could you not still pay tribute to the service of the people who fought that war?
• Does something like a Veterans Day Service help to unify a country? And do you believe that “by unifying, we stand; by dividing, we fall?”
If you can, answer these questions … and only you can answer – no teacher – no parent can answer for you. Then ask this … what hardships do veterans face in military service? What hardships will they face when they – as we used to say – "return home to the world." When you can answer questions like these and feel good about yourself, then you’ve met my challenge, and you’re beginning to see the significance of Veterans Day.
When I was reflecting on my feelings of the Viet Nam War era, I absolutely did not intend to diminish, for example, the unparalleled successes of the men and women of Tom Brokaw’s "Greatest Generation" who fought and won World War II. I did intend, however – then, as now – to always remember that Veterans Day is inclusive, and properly ought to honor and thank ALL Veterans.
So, if you want to know why we’ve been saying “thank you” to Veterans since 1919, remember the words of a USMC Chaplain (Denis O’Brian) who wrote:
It is the soldier, not the minister, who gives us freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the President, who gives us freedom of democracy.
It is the soldier, not the Reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the Poet, who gives us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus agitator, who gives us the right to protest.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag.
It is the soldier who serves beneath the flag.
It is the soldier who whose coffin is draped by the flag.
It is the soldier who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Earlier this year, a replica of the Viet Nam (War) Wall was in Cherry Hill at an American Legion Post. Some of us were there acting as volunteers. This is the inscription at the Memorial:
“Our Nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met."
Now that you know why we say “thank you,” I want to show you a way to say thanks to those currently serving, for example, if you pass them in an airport or on the street. The sign means “Thank you for your service to our country.”
And in conclusion, I’ll add only this: To our men and women in uniform, past, present, and future – God Bless You … and Thank You.
And God Bless America.
