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In what felt like forever (though in reality it was only seconds) the entire line of
bad guys had moved right by us. It seemed absolutely impossible. Not a shot was
fired. It was like when Moses parted the sea and they walked around both sides
of our little circle. As soon as they were out of sight, we threw our rucks on our
backs and headed as fast and as quietly as possible back the way we had come.
That afternoon we made it to a location where a helicopter could land and we
were extracted and taken back to the company area. I’d like to be able to say I
kept all l of those promises I made, but I’m not perfect. However, I believe we
survived because He intervened and not just because we were lucky.
What was your least favorite thing about being in the military?
I suppose the number of weekends, holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and
other events I missed because I was gone. I would have liked to participate in
these family events. However, it always made the ones I did make seem even
more special.
What did the military teach you that has become a permanent part of your life?
Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage
were the Army values when I retired, and something I took with me. There has
only been one perfect person on this earth, thus, I’ve certainly experienced
difficulty trying to live up to these values. Still, having them in place to guide me,
both then and now, has made a significant difference in my life. If others just tried
to live these same values, we would not have the embarrassing political and civil
climate we have today.
Is there anything you would like to see changed in the military?
The military changes constantly over someone’s career. I can’t begin to describe all
the different uniforms I wore in my 42 years. Technology has made such dramatic
changes in weapon lethality and life-saving equipment, that it is more than many
of us old soldiers could have imagined. However, it’s not so much changes to the
military organization that I’d like to see, but the utilization of our military I would
like to see changed. In the conflict prior to Vietnam, and in the first Desert War,
we saw what our military can do if given a mission with a desired end state, and
then left to accomplish the mission. We have been plagued with tasking without
an end state, and mismanaged by politicians. Victory is not attainable if there is
no end state. The military doesn’t go to war unless the government sends it.
When the military is sent, let it do its job and then come home. I remember an
old Special Forces soldier and Medal of Honor recipient told about one of his
experiences. After concluding his presentation, a lady in the audience, that he
guessed was about his age, asked why he went to Vietnam. His reply was
simply, “I thought you knew—because you sent me.”
How did your family adjust to your time in the military?
They had lived the military life for over 20 years, so they knew what it would be
like for me. I don’t believe they felt I would have any problem adjusting, and I
didn't. It was difficult for them when I was deployed. A father who personally
experienced war in Europe and my mother who waited for his return, both had to
relive some of the anxiety previously experienced. I remember my father walking
out to the plane with me when I was leaving for Vietnam. He shook my hand,
looked me in the eye, and said, “Don’t be a hero, but don’t be a coward.”
The look on his face said much more.
Who was your favorite
commander and why?
I wouldn’t dare try and identify
my favorite commander. I had
those I admired and respected
more than others. I had those I thought
more capable than others. What I came to
realize is that each of them had strengths and
weaknesses. I sorted through all of that and tried to determine which qualities
I wanted to emulate.
One commander I will always remember with great fondness was my first
company commander in Special Forces. I was soon to be promoted to sergeant
first class, which was pretty good after only eight years. My father had been an
NCO and that was what I expected to be. However, the major had a different idea.
He and my A-team commander called me into his office, and after a relatively
short discussion, told me I was to report to Fort Benning, Georgia, to complete
officer candidate school. He said it. He didn’t really ask for my feelings about it,
and I accepted it as an order.
I had the privilege, some years later, of being the general officer officiating his
funeral and presenting the flag to his wife. I would never have achieved the rank
of a general officer had he not encouraged me to attend OCS.
Would you recommend military careers to young people making career choices?
Absolutely! The military experience builds character. It is a great environment for
anyone to mature and give thought to the future. You learn values to carry with
you the rest of your life. You learn self-confidence, you learn teamwork, you learn
initiative, and most of all you just mature. When you leave the military, if you
decide to leave, you will be much more capable of standing on your own two
feet. When I returned from my initial enlistment, I went to college. I was so much
more mature than my fellow classmates and had no problems focusing on what
my purpose was in school. I had the self-discipline to accomplish the mission.
Describe your thoughts when you join in pledging allegiance to the flag?
I have a flood of thoughts going through my head. Every time I still see myself as a
young boy in school standing by my desk with my hand over my heart. I remember
my friends from the military. I remember my ranger buddies in Vietnam. I think
how lucky I am to be here and how I wish all of them could be. I promise never to
forget the sacrifices our military members made from the birth of this nation to
those sacrificing right now. I feel tremendous PRIDE.
When it is over, I try to calm my anger as I think of the the ungrateful, uncaring,
and ignorant people who have given nothing to this country and done nothing to
earn the privilege of being an American. Yet they disrespect the flag, the pledge,
and the memory of the fallen. Service members come home every day. Some with
a flag over them and some with the memories they will have for life. They don’t
see themselves as heroes, but as patriotic Americans. I just can’t understand why
the people in this country can’t take a moment and say thanks and be respectful.
Arlo Guthrie has a song called “When a Soldier Makes it Home.” Take time to
listen to it. Then ask yourself why anyone feels they have right to disrespect those
who have fallen and those who survived. l
Hometown Rankin • 61