As a retiree from the Air Force I have strong feelings for everyone who serves our country in the Armed Services. I have that feeling of brotherhood with every branch: Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force. All are vital to the defense of our country and the free world. When I think of the frequent deployments to far off and often dangerous and inhospitable places I think of the stress and concern they endure as they leave family and home for various periods of time.
Throughout the years and places orders sent me I found a common bond with military personnel. In moving by ship I found the crew members to be helpful and friendly. On my first voyage going to Korea a crew member on board showed me where to bunk and later gave helpful suggestions on keeping from getting seasick. Beyond Hawaii we did enter a hurricane that lasted over two days and many got sea sick, but I never did.
I was about 19 years old in Korea when I first really felt the effects of the violence of wars. After finding out I could type I was assigned to be an aide to the commander of the 3rd Bomb Group. He was a full colonel with command over three squadrons of B-26 bombers and led them in flying dangerous night missions over North Korea.
I had a little office next to his office and did the paperwork and kept hot coffee for him and others in planning meetings. Sometimes he had time to sit and talk about things back home, for he was always talking to the enlisted men and boosting morale of everyone. One morning we received the news he and crew would never return from that night’s mission. There were some officers and men crying as they heard the news. Often the good and best die!
In the service over the years I found a kind of brotherhood bond. Later in Vietnam where I had a very difficult mission to take over and learn I had a small band of men who never failed to meet the needs. In fact, due to their knowledge of the mission and tasks they made me look good.
One day on a trip to Camp Holloway a few miles away I was idling by the airstrip while some men set up a post office for the troops there. A serious battle was underway about 22 miles away. Then helicopters began to appear and set down. From them men carried plastic body bags containing dead troops killed in that battle, of which later a movie was made. As the lines of bodies grew longer and longer I could hardly contain my emotions. It didn’t help either to realize most of the dead men were 21 years old or younger.
When we think of war it is horribly wasteful and destructive of human lives, while ruining and polluting the land. As I grow older I tend to cry more inside and think more about the years I spent in uniform and where it led me to far lands and people. I also say a silent prayer when I see them head out on a mission from which they may not return.
