A while back, my wife and I were in Hood River, Oregon sitting on the back deck of the Big Horse Brew Pub trying to entertain our little boy, Riggs (he was one at the time), trying to keep him from disturbing the other patrons while we enjoyed a much-needed parents’-day out. Riggs was in a mood and kept busting through the chair fortress we’d built and was making lots of noise, crying and carrying on. Mikella went to grab him from the other side of the deck, saying to everyone, “I hope he’s not driving y’all crazy.”
A man stood from the corner and in front of everyone said, “Ma’am, I just got back from a tour in the Middle East, and all I heard for months was gunfire, explosions, and grown men screaming. Your baby crying is the most beautiful sound in the world.”
Every eye on that deck grew misty. Mikella said it best: “That puts things in perspective. Thank you, sir.”
Both of my grandfathers fought in World War II—one in the Navy developing radar technology, the other an Army tail-gunner in Italy—and though I wouldn’t dare claim to be half the man those two were, I feel tremendous pride to carry their blood in my veins. It wasn’t until I did extensive research on PTSD for Once a Soldier that I realized the burden a soldier bears.
Thank you, Albert Hamilton Blackmore, US Navy and Lemuel Harrall Walker Sr., US Army for allowing me the freedom to live out my dreams.
Do you know any soldiers? Please mention them below.
Thanks to all you soldiers out there.
27 Responses
My dad Dennis Glunn served in Vietnam 1970 BLachorse Calvary. I’m so proud of him.
I served in USAR and a tour in OEF. Mostly I think of all the brothers and sisters in arms I’ve served with and others I’ve met with my dad and I’m proud of our freedoms. And I hope for mor love in this world and less war.
Mike thornton. Navy seal and metal of honor recipient from spartannburg sc
My hometown!
C.W. “Bud” Blackmon.
My Daddy.
Korean War Veteran.
Served our country from 1950-1954.
January 1, 1926 – April 23, 1995
My nephew, Justin Cary., Middle East 2 tours
My brother, Chet Cary Jr., Middle East 2 tours
My father, Chester Cary Sr., Vietnam, 3 tours, 2 purple hearts
My uncle John, Navy Submarines, Mare Island
My cousin’s boys, Alex and Ian Johnson, Middle East
My uncle Bill, Korean War
My great Uncles (4) on my mom’s side, WW2
We have had family in the military every generation back to the Revolutionary war. And proud to stand for our country.
Jacob O’Neal USMC-active Drill Sargent- my great nephew-in-law
Patrick Bonney US Army- active – trainer- my great nephew
Morris Ladner Jr. US Navy- Korean War Veteran- my father
Many others but that’s all for now!
My dad’s cousin and best friend.
Samuel R. Durham
June 4 1945 – June 9 1967
https://www.fold3.com/page/632074161
My dad was in the Navy in WWII and served in Japan. He was wounded there. (Got bayoneted in the leg). Then he came home and took a job on the railroad, like most of his family. He got drafted a few years later, went into the Army this time, and was sent to Korea. He made it home again, took a job with Appalachian Power Company and did a lot of volunteering in his community. He now has a bridge named for him in the town he lived in since 1960.
Then, I joined the Army and was in 82nd Airborne. I had planned to make it my career. Unfortunately, I was injured in an accident at Ft. Jackson and I wasn’t going to be able to keep the job I wanted. So instead, I opted out. I still regret it after all these years.
Private John D. Jenkins is my great, great, grandfather. He left Wales in 1862 to come to the United States and fight in the Civil War. He fought with the 15th Regiment – Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, under General Lyon, a staunch anti-slavery advocate. He fought with distinction at the Battle of Kinston where he was wounded and captured. He later fought with the 7th regiment until the end of the war.
My husband is a Vietnam era veteran who recently lost his eye sight in an auto collision after being struck head on by a person on 4 illegal drugs. He just returned from spending 2 1/2 months at the American Lakes Veteran’s Blind Rehab Inpatient Center in Tacoma, Washington. One of the sources available to blind veterans is talking books via the Library of Congress. Many authors are not aware they can make their books available to veterans and other blind individuals through the Library of Congress. Their website is https://www.loc.gov.
Before being able to attend Blind Rehab my husband had to learn to walk again after the auto collision, that took almost 3 years. It was incredible to see first hand the program the VA provides for veterans who are losing their sight due to medical conditions and those who are totally blind. My husband and I are very thankful the care the VA has provided for him.
My son Matt “Matty” Poer. 5th Special Forces Group Ft Campbell Ky Ret. Bronze Star with Valor. Passed away 4/12/18. I just got your book today and already am thinking of some of his fellow Green Berets to send one to. Matt had PTSD and died after being tasered in Elbert Co. CO. Google Elbert Co taser death. He was NOT armed. This has been verified by two detectives on the case. It will be months of investigations before we know the whole story. Matt was a good guy. He had called 911 for help after becoming agitated. Anyway, I have just started reading and i like it already. Get back to me if so choose. Sincerely Sherry Poer
I’m so sorry, Sherry. My heart is broken for you.
My dear gran pa…. fought in the Italy tour of ww11.Stabbed 3 times by the enemy with a bayonet ( to make sure soldiers were dead)after falling on the field.obviously didn’t flinch cuz he came home!! Couldn’t do that for any thing…. awarded a Purple heart.
My brother-in-law served in Viet Nam at 18. He’s proud of his service and we are proud of him.
My husband’s father and my brother served in WWII, his stepfather in Korea. Then my husband and his brother served during Viet Nam. Now our son in law just returned from his third tour, one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and one in Kuwait. We also have a grandson in the Air Force. I respect and honor all these men and others in our family.
We understand, to a degree, what the soldiers and their families endure.
My granddads, dad, husband, brother and son – all have served in the British army. I owe them a deep sense of gratitude for this lifetime of freedom. So very proud of them all
My grandson Gethyn Rude is currently serving in the USAF. Last we spoke he was in Iraq. We are all so proud of him!
He proudly is following his grandpa Marc who served during the Vietnam War in the US Army. And his great-grandfather Gethyn who was an honored hero. Gethyn served in Europe during WWII with the the US Army.
Jackie – Center City, Minnesota
My Daddy was in WWII in the Army. He was a halftrack driver/
radio operator. He died in 2006.
My Father-in-Law was in HMH Royal Navy and was on the
Arctic Convoys protecting Russian supply ships. He died in 2006 as well
Both served with distinction and I am very proud of them both.
K.C. Callahan-Aves Australia
I wish to mention, and Honour my dad. He was in the Korean war. He was a cable splicer for the Army.
He was there for 2 years. But, he also got to “tour” Europe he says, “curtiousy of the USA Army”
My dad turns 86 yrs this coming September.
My husband Greg Contino is a retired Navy Chief. He served in VietNam and has over 20 years in. My brother Ed Kirby who passed from renal cell carcinoma on June 14th 2017. He was a flight engineer. And at the time of his death was working at Nas Jax as a flight engineer instructor (as a contractor) He was just 54 when he passed. He had 21 years service.
I served in peace and combat and want to thank all of my brothers and sisters in arms, past, present, and future.
God bless the USA
Thank you for your service, Heath.
My grandson, Tyler Guth, (20 yo) who is stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I am so very proud of him. He’s married with his first baby on the way. He’s been in for 6-7 months. God bless all of you!!
I’m a veteran but wish to honor my father Lewis Miner who served in the Pacific during WWII.
Also, my nephew Christopher Potts KIA Oct. 3, 2004 in Iraq. Bronze Star for valor.
Both were tremendous men and patriots.
My grandson, Galen Brody Wiley, U.S. Army
All gave some but some gave all.
I think about Josh Wheeler often. He set a high bar by which to live.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Wheeler
What a guy! Wow.