Verklempt

I was very small when President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember that day and the sad days that followed though, as if they were only last year. My parents were not appreciative of his politics, but were affected by his loss.

I can remember my mother wondering what would happen to those two little kids. I remember the riderless horse, the caisson, the military salutes, and little John's salute. It has always been really hard for me to hear "Taps" played and keep a dry eye. I guess part of it is the poetic streak inside me, but I can't help it.

I've absorbed many World War II movies. I mean absorbed. I'm a geek for any moves that blow up, really. But anything from the Alamo to Blackhawk Down is in my wheelhouse. If a movie channel has a serious lineup over Memorial Day or something I may go without trips to the grocery, or getting my laundry done. It's one of the nagging reasons why I enlisted, though I cannot really explain it.

I was too young to understand completely why veterans were being spit on and protested when they got home from that war. I mean Forest Gump explained it as well as anybody could, but it's still unforgivable for the left to be so vocal when those guys hadn't done anything wrong themselves. That form of protest just abhorred me.

President Bush, despite his rhetoric, hasn't really helped to beef up any of the veteran's benefits outside of signing the Webb GI Bill. John McCain, for all of his hooooorah in his speeches, only rates a D+ on veteran's issues. He voted against body armor, pay raises, and VA funding.

CBS News aired a story on this morning about a Las Vegas hotel mogul who is throwing expense-paid parties for veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I think that's awesome! When I came home from duty (twice) there were no welcomes, no parades. There was some paperwork to fill out and then you just pack your bags and go home, wherever that is. And that's okay.

When I was recalled for duty in Desert Storm, I got as far as the Naval base at Rota, Spain. I arrived there the weekend the ground war happened (Gosh! That was short....) and I ended up without any real mission until they figured out how to get me home again.

We were adjacent to a barracks were Marines were cycling back to return to the states. The first ones we met couldn't talk about where they had been exactly or give details. But they were proud as hell and wouldn't stop talking anyway. As these guys continued to cycle back through to go home the stories varied with experience, but the pride was unanimous.

So on Veteran's Day I'll be flying my flag. Since I'm working for the State I'll have the day off. I'll probably dial into the office and get some stuff done, but it will be with something like Band of Brothers on TV.

Most veterans don't need parades. Just give us a 'thanks' with a handshake, hug, or a pint, and we'll be fine. The majority of us will say it was an honor to serve, and we're just glad to be home.