As a veteran, I am a firm believer in remembering all my lost brothers and sisters so the POW/MIA issue is a strong one for me. I recently adopted a POW/MIA and the link to my tribute page can be found below. Please consider doing the same! Let's bring them all home!
I was a WAC from 71-74. Served most of the time at Ft. Sam Houston, TX and Ft Ord, CA. My main duty was typing DD 214's so I saw many happy people! LOL!!
It has always been hard for me to consider myself a "real" veteran even though I spent over four years in the army, 71-74, and over a year in the Missouri National Guard. For me, all the respect and the honor goes to those who gave so much for our country. Yet...though I never went overseas I still feel the same as many I have talked to. Many of us were wounded in our spirits by those days. For me, most of my pain came in my off duty hours when I would hold a brother soldier of mine when he woke with night terrors....when I would hold tightly the hand of a friend while he remembered things he would rather not...when I would hug a friend when "that look" came into his eyes. I would give anything I have to be able to help my brothers and sisters who were hurt so badly heal.
I was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, TX when some of the POWs came home and they were brought to the hospital at Ft. Sam. I attended the welcome for them and just watching them get off that helicopter and stand there so proudly despite what they had been through just sent chill bumps all over me. Despite everything, these men were not beaten down...they were not defeated...they stood there with their heads held high and if their bodies were in bad shape, their souls were free and their hearts were proud. That to me, embodies what it is all about. Those men are blazed into my memory. God bless them all!
My father is a veteran of WWII, Korea and Nam. My brother is a vet of Nam. Dad and my bro were both in country at the same time. Dad was AF up by Da Nang and bro was Army and humping through the bush in the southern part and (GASP!) in Laos.
My bro is now one of those lost souls who came home and never felt at home again. I haven't seen him in over 15 years now. {{{{{{{{{Rocks}}}}}}}}} Where ever you are wandering now, your sister loves and misses you.
Update: I found my brother and it is a miracle. We are reunited because of this website! So believe in miracles! They do happen. :-)
I also have a younger sister who was Army as well. As you can see, its a family thang. :-)
For each of you who has ever served in any branch of the military at any time...I say this...THANK YOU!
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