Uncle, I know you pretty well. In another war, in another place, I could have been you. I've got the medals and the purple hearts and if I hadn't gotten busted once I'd have been an e-6 out of Vietnam. I turned down ocs and, sadly, I've never done anything as compelling as what I did in Vietnam. I know the lure of living and dying with men so close it's almost an understatement to call them family.
I know how hard it is to leave them behind when your tour is over. I left a cushy rear job on the LZ after a few days and went back into the jungle to join my guys because I knew they needed me to walk point. But I INITIALLY TOOK THAT JOB WHEN IT WAS OFFERED BECAUSE IT SEEMED SUCH A WASTE TO DIE THERE AND THAT SEEMED LIKELY. And yes, it has bothered me a little that Kerry left early, but then not everyone stays and dies. I finally left the field with 5 days in country rather than extend in Vietnam because I felt I'd done "enough." Kerry did more than 95% of soldiers in Vietnam and if he felt he'd done "enough" and wanted to live to do better things in life, then I won't second guess him.
The fact that people like you and I, and a lot of others, did the same kinds of things he did, and more, doesn't diminish the fact that what he did was brave regardless of whether we think he should, or shouldn't have been decorated for it. I don't judge another man's contributions in war, it's enough for me that he went and did what he could. As you know, many of us couldn't handle it and never put ourselves on the line; he did.
I appreciate your post. And don't think for one moment that I compare my service to yours. The intensity of my year might compare but the breadth and scope of your service is astounding. I don't know how a man could do that and live and I expect a lot of your peers didn't. You must have been very good, and very lucky. Welcome home and thanks. Ed |
