Veterans Day

On Veterans Day, Jerry Barfield walked up to Tom Corey in a Washington hotel and introduced himself. Corey didn't recognize him. Barfield had seen Corey's name on an e-mail list some time before and was shocked at the sight of it. When he heard Corey would be at the Veterans Day dinner, he made inquiries.

When Barfield introduced himself, he told Corey he was one of the guys who put him on the chopper. They laughed when Barfield said, "You look a lot better now than you did then." He thought Corey was dead that day 34 years ago. Everybody did. Even Corey himself.

They hugged. They cried. Each says he gets emotional about these kinds of things now. Each says every moment means so much more now. "All kinds of things were running through my mind," Corey said.

On Jan. 31, 1968, in Quang Tri Province, 22-year-old Tom Corey was a squad leader with a First Cav unit. Jerry Barfield was a lieutenant's RTO. A call came in to saddle up for a ride into a hot LZ. Corey had a bad feeling about it, a premonition he couldn't shake. He didn't want to go.

"I was trying to get my guys organized and not show them I had any bad feelings about where we were going," he said. "I had a responsibility, especially to the new guys."

On the flight to the LZ, Corey sat on the floor at the helicopter's door with his feet on the skid. He liked to stay close to the door "in case those things fall from the sky." The helicopter didn't touch down at the LZ, but hovered a few feet off the ground. Corey and his squad jumped, the bad feeling hanging with him all the way. He couldn't rid himself of it.

They headed for dikes near the village. They called in artillery and air strikes. When the barrage ended, Corey stuck his head up over the dike's edge to see the best way to approach the village and to locate other men. He saw a flash come from the tree line. It was the last thing he would remember clearly for a long time.

The bullet hit his neck on the left side, severed the main artery and the jugular vein, went through his back, hit his spinal cord, and exited his right shoulder.

That day, and for years afterward in hospital after hospital, people asked, Why is he alive? The artery, the vein. How could he live? He wondered himself. He thought he was dying, if not dead already.

"I remember saying words to myself, 'God forgive me,' '' he said. "It's like when you go to confession in the Catholic Church. I felt I needed to be forgiven for anything I might have done in my life, because I thought that was it. I was on my way out. I thought I had died."

Then came the hospitals - Japan, California, Colorado, Tennessee. Critical care wards. Burned men. Disfigured men. A triple amputee who screamed incessantly because there wasn't enough medication to bring relief from the pain. Brief moments of consciousness lapsed into long periods of darkness. Someone told him he was paralyzed. He didn't understand what it meant.

"I don't remember who told me," Corey said. "It didn't come across that I was paralyzed permanently. I tried to move and nothing on my body moved."

Tom Corey is the president of Vietnam Veterans of America now and one of the architects of the Veterans Initiative, an endeavor meant to bring healing to people on both sides of the war. He said it never occurred to him over the years that he would be in a position to give back in a meaningful way to so many people.

On Veterans Day, he sat at Jerry Barfield's table in the hotel banquet room, talking about the war, looking at photo albums filled with Barfield's Vietnam memories.

"I told him how much I admired him for what he was doing," Barfield said. "Most people in his condition would just give up on life and you couldn't blame them in a sense. I admire him for what he's done for Vietnam veterans. If I would have been in Tom's position, I probably would have just given up on life."

Corey said such thoughts were not unfamiliar to him, that "giving up" was a companion for many years. The thoughts come to him even now. He knew men who had chosen to quit.

"I thought about it a lot," Corey said. "I thought about it in the 70s and the 80s and the 90s. I lost several friends to suicide when I was in therapy in Memphis. I go through it every once in a while. Then I think about the things I do have, the things God has blessed me with, the family and friends and people who are so important to me. So I hang in some more."

Jerry Barfield said he spent 21 years in the Army and laughs at the thought. Old friends said he hated the Army so much they couldn't begin to imagine that he'd make a career out of it. He said he gets "real emotional now when I talk about my guys."

"It's hard to put into words what I felt when I saw Tom," he said. "When I was in the Army, I was never like this. It's different now, but I don't know why."

Corey said the moments Barfield described carry significant weight.

"Vietnam changed the lives of those who served," he said. "There is only one group of people who understand that change. It's important that we talk about it, about the sacrifices that were made. No one else wants to talk about those things. No one understands. The guys on The Wall, the guys who have left us since then - thousands have left us so early, dying of things related to what happened to them in Vietnam. There are so many people. It's all around us. It's important to make that connection. It's important to touch those people we served with."

Tom Berger is a writer for The VVA Veteran, the official voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ® An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. Learn more at www.vva.org

Article Source: Rhino Articles

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service:
a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who
have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.

You can't tell a vet just by looking. What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for
two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another -or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade - riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the
ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, the greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could
have been awarded or were awarded. Two little words that mean a lot,

"THANK YOU."

What does a veteran mean to me? A veteran means freedom to me. A veteran means I have the freedom to walk down the sidewalk to meet a friend. To go anywhere I want to go. A veteran means we are protected from the bad guys around the world. A veteran means I don't have to be scared when I play outside. When I think of a veteran I think of all they have done for the citizens of the United States of America. I think of all they have sacrificed for our freedom. I think of the difference each veteran must have made for each of us.

I think of the veterans at Irwin Army Hospital, where I was born, and how much they helped my mom when she was so sick having me. A veteran means bravery to me. A veteran has to sacrifice their lives to give us what we need. I think of the veterans that had to lie in the mud watching out for someone to come along. Veterans have to sleep in deep dug holes in the ground surrounded by cars to keep safe and to blend in so they aren't seen so easily all while we are in comfortable warm beds. They don't have McDonalds out in the field so they have to eat food in a bag. A veteran protects us and fights for us in dangerous situations for very little pay.

Last year at my school in Topeka, KS, Maude Bishop Elementary, my principal had a son serving in the war in Iraq. His name was Kyle Thomas and he made the ultimate sacrifice at the age of 21. My whole school grieved for Kyle and Mr. Thomas. He never had a chance to have a life and enjoy the freedoms that he fought so hard for.

When I think of a veteran, I think of my dad who served in the Army in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. I think of how hard he worked there. I think of how dangerous that must have been for him. I think of how much my mom must have worried and missed him.

When I think of a veteran, I think of my great grandfather who served in the Army for more than 20 years. I like to hear his stories about being stationed in Germany and meeting so many different people from around the world.

When I think of a veteran, I think of the great uncle I never got to meet. He made the ultimate sacrifice dying in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Veterans mean everything to me and if it weren't for them I wouldn't be free today or as comfortable as I am now. I thank the Veterans for doing all these things. A veteran means being selfless. Thank you for saving the lives of many people... That's what a Veteran means to me.

Reference: http://www.iwvpa.net/delorgea/index.php#bio

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down."
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."

I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down.
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town?"

I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag."
"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing _Oh Say Can You See_.
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams."

"And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.

There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag."
"On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.

She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam."

"She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land she's been abused --
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused."

"And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.

'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more."
"So we raise her up every morning, Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground And we fold her up right.

On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."

Some Ways To Celebrate Veterans Day
By Gail Leino

This Veterans Day will be a time you can really use to honor those who have served in the armed forces during times of war. Certainly going into service is a duty and can be a heavy weight to bear under stress. Many of those celebrated on this day each year have been in war and have seen what it can do, so they're memories and experiences serve as valuable reminders and reasons why we should all be aware of their sacrifices.

How can you appropriately honor this effort put forth during war? Most veterans will say you can honor them by remembering, spending time during this day with them or going to one of the many memorials around the country. You can easily pick up some flowers or go and freshen up a gravesite. Even if you go to a site commemorating one of the wars long past you'll be celebrating this Veterans Day appropriately.

If you have living relatives who are veterans surprise them with a party in their honor. Create a guest list with all their pals and relatives on it and hold the party in a large outdoor area so everyone can enjoy the air. Those with large numbers of guests coming to their parties can turn it into a potluck and tell guests to bring samplings of their own favorite foods to give all a chance to try new things. You'll be able to provide paper supplies themed after Veterans Day that feature the nation's flag or a view of the armed forces. You may need lots of cups and plates for the affair because guests tend to throw them out after one use.

However you choose to celebrate this special day, the most important element is taking a little time to remember what it's all about.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Veterans Day party supplies and fun free educational party games She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Shop has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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Veteran's Day: Remembering My Dad
By Jeff Herring

My dad's first name was George. He was born on February 22, George Washington's birthday at George Washington's Mt. Vernon in Virginia, where his mom worked at the time.

My dad served in the Navy in WWII. He served on two ships in the Pacific, the Concord and the Valley Forge, both names associated with George Washington.

During America's bicentennial celebration in 1976, our local paper did a feature story on all the strange connections my dad had to George Washington.

He only talked about it once

My dad only talked about how he got a medal in WWII one time.

His ship had been hit, was on fire and taking on water. He and a buddy went below and began pulling men out of the mess below. He pulled up guys that were struggling but unhurt, guys that were wounded, guys that were dead, and grabbed one guy by the hair, and came up with just a head.

He only talked about it one time.

Always knew he loved me

My dad passed several years ago in 1997. He was not much for demonstrating his emotions. But I always knew that he loved me.

My heartfelt genuine thanks to my dad and all the other veterans out there.

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It is so reassuring to drive down the street and see our national flag flying proudly in the wind. The problem is most people only do it occasionally. So what are those days that are appropriate to fly the flag?
January 1-start the year out right, even in the snow, and fly the flag on New Year's Day. January 20-is Inauguration Day and it is a very good day to show our respect for the office held by our President as the President of the United States of America. January-- the third Monday is the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a day to show our support for the rights of all people no matter their color, religion, or sex.

February-the third Monday is President's Day. We celebrate the birthday of two of our former presidents. George Washington, Father of our Country, and Abraham Lincoln the president who is best known for freeing the slaves and getting us through the civil war.

April -- May brings Easter Sunday. A day to celebrate the religious freedom that we find in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights that our country offers us and fights to keep. Mother's Day is the 2nd Sunday in May and is an appropriate time to display the flag. It celebrates all the Mothers who have been willing to let their husbands, fathers and sons serve the people. Today we now even have mothers who are serving in the armed forces and this is a great day to fly that flag and support the Mothers of our country. Armed Forces Day is the 3rd Saturday in May and is a very appropriate time to fly our flag and show our respect and thanks to the men and women who fight to keep our rights. Memorial Day is a day when we should fly the flag at half-staff until noon. At noon the flag is raised to its full height. The half-staff is in memory of those who died for this country. It is celebrated on the last Monday in May and reminds us of those who came before us.

June-on the third Sunday in June we celebrate Father's Day. What a special day to display our flag and honor all the men and boys who have served our country in the armed forces, as firemen and policemen and fathers who are trying to raise their children right.

July-an extra special month because it is the month that we celebrate our independence as a new country from England. The day is July 4th and the best day of all to raise our flag.

September-the first Monday is Labor Day and a day to celebrate all the hard working people in this country. Our country doesn't make our people great, but our people make this country great. So celebrate all those who work so hard. September 11 is Patriot Day, September 17 is Constitution Day. Both of these days are wonderful days to raise the flag and support our country and show our patriotism.

October-on the second Monday in October we celebrate Columbus Day to honor Christopher Columbus who dared to sail the ocean and made a major discover, a whole new continent.

November-Veterans Day is November 11 and is a great day to fly the flag and then the fourth Thursday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a terrific day to give thanks for our country and show our patriotism by flying Old Glory.

December-Pearl Harbor Day is December 7, a day that will be remember by all. Pearl Harbor Day was to that generation what 9 -11 is to our generation. A day when we were attacked without cause. Then of course there is Christmas Day on December 25 and a special day to fly the flag.

So are these the only days when it is appropriate to fly the flag. No, everyday is an appropriate day to fly our flag and if it is lighted then you can fly it all night long, also. We need to make no excuse to fly our flag we should be proud to do so.

Resource Box - Caroline Mackay 2007 Caroline Mackay is a retired teacher of thirty seven years and writer and producer of many school programs. She is the host of http://www.ezeducationplays.com/articles.html And http://www.ezelectronicelements.com/page/page/3966316.htm