December 31, 2021 / A Veteran Died Today

 

December 31, 1946 is the official date for the ending of World War II

 

“Presidential Proclamation 2714 (61 Stat. 1048) was signed by President Harry S. Truman on December 31, 1946, to officially declare the cessation of all hostilities in World War II.”

I was thinking about this.  I was thinking about the thinning ranks of all the World War II veterans.  That period is often referred to as ‘The Greatest Generation.’  The designation applies to not only the veterans (who we should all honor), but also to the civilian population that sacrificed so much to win the War… particularly the grieving families of the soldiers, seaman, and airmen who never returned.

But that was then and this is now.  It makes one wonder if that revered generation is the last ‘great’ generation for this United States.  That said...

The following poem came to mind.

He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.,

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Joe has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Veteran died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young,
But the passing of a Veteran
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Veteran,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a Veteran
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Veteran,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Veteran,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Veteran's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,

A VETERAN DIED TODAY. ”

Author 'Unknown

True Nelson

Larry Gilbert Dahl, Medal of Honor Recipient, and my thoughts.

 Larry Dahl was a hometown boy, born in Oregon City, Oregon.  He died a man, with the US Army while serving in Vietnam (1971). He has been awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States highest military honor, for throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of fellow soldiers.

I have often wondered about such almost inconceivable acts of heroism.  What motivated him?  Was there no other option?  More importantly, would I have done the same under similar circumstances?  I, of course, will never know the answer to that.

I can imagine, as many fathers might, running in front of a speeding truck to save your child.  It almost goes without saying.  It is instinct.  It is the love of someone’s life that is more important than your own.  Perhaps, men in combat (some men) have the same feelings toward their comrades in arms.

What is courage?  What takes more courage… storming the beaches of Normandy or throwing yourself on a grenade?  Storming beaches, in a hail of gunfire and deadly explosions, certainly takes prolonged courage – and, in my opinion, a preconceived notion / belief that you will probably die, that you will never again see your family, your loved ones.  On the other hand, Dahl’s courage would manifest itself in seconds or less.

I was not in the Army or the Marine Corps.  Maybe, their personnel receive some orientation on such deadly circumstances.  Maybe, there is an honored history.  I was in the Air Force and the subject never came up, even among informal discussions with comrades.  It is conceivable that Air Force personnel could experience a similar situation, but it is unlikely.  Others in the military, I am sure, would have more insight on the instant decision required:  attempting to throw the grenade away or fall on it.  If you review the records for those who have received the Medal of Honor, many Marines and Army soldiers were awarded the MOH under remarkably similar circumstances – the last full measure of devotion to duty and honor. 

With deepest respect for Dahl’ sacrifice…

“Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp4c Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own.”

 

 

True Nelson