Gunner's Blog

The View of a Perplexed Veteran

 

Something has bothered me greatly since I became involved with "The Gathering of Eagles." That is when we are mentioned, if at all, by the "Main Stream Media," they always refer to us as "PRO WAR VETERANS." I do not know any combat veteran that is "PRO WAR." However, we veterans know that as one of our earliest patriots, Thomas Jefferson said, "From time to time the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots." We, the combat veterans, know that unfortunate as it is, wars shall and must be fought until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sad fact is borne out in Scripture in Jesus' own words as found in Luke 21:9.

 

But ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Lu. 21:9. KJV.

 

With these thoughts in mind, I have a few questions for my fellow citizens of this great nation.

 

Why is it that only the veterans fully understand that the freedoms we enjoy here have been paid for by the blood and sacrifices of brave men and women for over 230 years?

 

Why is it that these veterans wake up every morning and thank God that they breathe the fresh air of freedom?

 

Why is it that these veterans know without any doubt that the freedoms we so cherish can and will be taken away if we as a nation are not willing to fight for them?

 

Why is it that only the veterans seem to learn from history?

 

What has happened to the people of this great nation? Most of whom seem to be more interested in "what can I get from this country?" Rather than, "what can I do for MY country! Is it only the veterans who remember the words of our fallen President John F. Kennedy; "Ask NOT what your country can do for YOU, ask instead what YOU can do FOR YOUR COUNTRY!"

 

I have a suggestion for my fellow citizens. Lets get off the "Appeasement" merry-go-round. This very bad habit started during the Korean War when those who have never fought on the front lines of any war, the politicians, totally ignored this nations history and the advice of one of this nations greatest generals, Gorge S. Patton Jr. General Patton said this about fighting a war;

 

"If we must fight a war then there is only one way to fight it. You grab your enemy by the collar and kick him in the butt until his nose bleeds. Then you shove an unconditional surrender document in front of him. If he refuses to sign it, you go back to kicking him in the butt until he begs to sign it."

 

However, the civilian politicians ignored history and General Patton's advice, and sat down to talk with the enemy. While brave young men were still fighting and dying, they talked until the enemy was "APPEASED." That "APPEASEMENT" led the United States into the war in Vietnam where once again, as our brave young men were still fighting and dying the politicians sat down with the enemy and talked. This old combat veteran wrote a poem on this subject some years ago, several lines from that poem apply here.

 

In Paris the two sides sat at nice big tables and talked
while in the jungles and rice paddies we still walked

 

While they toasted each other with fine champagne
we fought bloody battles in the monsoon rain

 

As they partied late into the night
my brothers died in firefights

 

This on going attitude of "political appeasement" has led us to where we are today. So why don't "WE" the American people tell our elected SERVANTS in Washington, DC to let our military do what we pay them to do? That is fight the enemies of our nation until they fully and unequivocally understand they  have chosen to fight with the wrong dog! That American's will NOT go peacefully into that long good night. The WE, as a nation of freedom loving people, will NOT allow our freedoms to be either taken away, nor given away by our elected SERVANTS! That we the AMERICAN PEOPLE, have placed deep in our collective hearts, and not just the hearts of the veterans, the words of President John F. Kennedy;

 

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of LIBERTY!"

 

Now, I have one last question for you; Does any part of that statement sound even remotely like "APPEASEMENT?"

 

God Bless Our Military

 

God Bless Our Veterans

 

God Bless The USA

 

Rev Ernie (Smiling Hawk) Tucker
SFC US Army Airborne (Ret)
Chaplain Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776
Military Order of The Purple Heart
Scout/Sniper Vietnam 68-69

 

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I got this in an email earlier today.  The sentiments pretty closely echo my on.  On second thought, very, very closely.

 

~G