***** Veterans Day *****
That's when we watch fast cars, we barbecue, picnic and play, shop for cars or just laze.
And yeah, that Veteran thing. Thanks. Pass the mustard and relish, and the beer.
Today, we are accustomed to good people publicly thanking Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, even Airmen
for their service to our country.
Budweiser produced the first of the stunning TV commercials of people applauding returning soldiers.
And we ought to cheer and thank them. Even those who don't understand what is going on, usually are polite.
I returned from the Far East in 1970, as the Vietnam War was winding down.
Being somewhat insulated from reality we didn't know the reason when we were told that when we left Fort Lewis, Washington
to wear civilian clothes.
It became readily apparent when we saw how uniformed military were treated by their fellow countrymen.
They were called 'baby killer' and 'murderer' and worse ........
and they were spat upon.
Americans spit on us!
Three types of people served then.
Enlistees; who made the choice to join the military. Why doesn't matter. They chose to serve their country.
Draftees; were told, 'you will serve your country' and the vast majority did because it was an obligation they had.
They served honorably.
Some of us Volunteered for the Draft. That was sort of; I ain't got the guts to join but I don't want to be drafted. Turns out it is just a delayed enlistment.
I would have been drafted. My draft number came up when I was in Basic Training at Fort Ord, California.
Today, I cry as I write this because of the utter sadness and hurt I have because of how
Americans treated their fellow Americans.
And nobody ever spit at me nor called me anything! I was simply, ignored.
There is no forgiving that treatment.
Forgiving is impossible because there is no remorse and nothing has been done to atone.
A politician apologizing is just words at a photo-opp. The pop-psych attitude of "forgiving" will never work
because you can't forgive someone who doesn't want to be forgiven for doing what they still believe was right and
proper, how they treated us.
I finally found acceptance and some peace in an unusual place, an arena with thirteen thousand people. The speaker
asked all of us who had served in the Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy to stand. We stood.
We were applauded for our service. For a minute. Two minutes. Three. For around five minutes this group of people,
clapping, cheering, stomping their feet, thanked us.
Most of us, from the newest to the oldest grizzled veteran stood there, washed in acceptance,appreciation and love,
and we cried.
Today, nothing has changed, because Amway people are still the same. Appreciative. Accepting. Good people do good.
I was stationed in Korea. I am not a Vietnam Vet, I am a Vietnam Era Vet and all of us count and matter.
Hundreds of thousands of us served in non-combat roles as has always been the case. No matter how unimportant our job
seemed to others, our job was important because all of us, Military and Civilian are part of the ever-continuing
obligation thrust on America by history, to protect freedom. Freedom for everybody.
The butcher, baker, janitor, plumber, carpenter, trucker, teacher, cop, fireman, doctor and nurse...all of us are
a part of what makes America work, part of what makes America the land of opportunity to the world, the shining city on a hill. America is the great hope of mankind.
America, the land of unlimited opportunity, where anybody may become their best!
None of us should ever treat any of us like we are the enemy.
Memorial Day, 2008.
Michael Shatto.
Concord, California.
That's when we watch fast cars, we barbecue, picnic and play, shop for cars or just laze.
And yeah, that Veteran thing. Thanks. Pass the mustard and relish, and the beer.
Today, we are accustomed to good people publicly thanking Soldiers, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, even Airmen
for their service to our country.
Budweiser produced the first of the stunning TV commercials of people applauding returning soldiers.
And we ought to cheer and thank them. Even those who don't understand what is going on, usually are polite.
I returned from the Far East in 1970, as the Vietnam War was winding down.
Being somewhat insulated from reality we didn't know the reason when we were told that when we left Fort Lewis, Washington
to wear civilian clothes.
It became readily apparent when we saw how uniformed military were treated by their fellow countrymen.
They were called 'baby killer' and 'murderer' and worse ........
and they were spat upon.
Americans spit on us!
Three types of people served then.
Enlistees; who made the choice to join the military. Why doesn't matter. They chose to serve their country.
Draftees; were told, 'you will serve your country' and the vast majority did because it was an obligation they had.
They served honorably.
Some of us Volunteered for the Draft. That was sort of; I ain't got the guts to join but I don't want to be drafted. Turns out it is just a delayed enlistment.
I would have been drafted. My draft number came up when I was in Basic Training at Fort Ord, California.
Today, I cry as I write this because of the utter sadness and hurt I have because of how
Americans treated their fellow Americans.
And nobody ever spit at me nor called me anything! I was simply, ignored.
There is no forgiving that treatment.
Forgiving is impossible because there is no remorse and nothing has been done to atone.
A politician apologizing is just words at a photo-opp. The pop-psych attitude of "forgiving" will never work
because you can't forgive someone who doesn't want to be forgiven for doing what they still believe was right and
proper, how they treated us.
I finally found acceptance and some peace in an unusual place, an arena with thirteen thousand people. The speaker
asked all of us who had served in the Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy to stand. We stood.
We were applauded for our service. For a minute. Two minutes. Three. For around five minutes this group of people,
clapping, cheering, stomping their feet, thanked us.
Most of us, from the newest to the oldest grizzled veteran stood there, washed in acceptance,appreciation and love,
and we cried.
Today, nothing has changed, because Amway people are still the same. Appreciative. Accepting. Good people do good.
I was stationed in Korea. I am not a Vietnam Vet, I am a Vietnam Era Vet and all of us count and matter.
Hundreds of thousands of us served in non-combat roles as has always been the case. No matter how unimportant our job
seemed to others, our job was important because all of us, Military and Civilian are part of the ever-continuing
obligation thrust on America by history, to protect freedom. Freedom for everybody.
The butcher, baker, janitor, plumber, carpenter, trucker, teacher, cop, fireman, doctor and nurse...all of us are
a part of what makes America work, part of what makes America the land of opportunity to the world, the shining city on a hill. America is the great hope of mankind.
America, the land of unlimited opportunity, where anybody may become their best!
None of us should ever treat any of us like we are the enemy.
Memorial Day, 2008.
Michael Shatto.
Concord, California.
