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Rocky Capozzi
I haven't added much to this forum over the years but the current thread about service in the armed forces stirs a lot of different emotions in me. I've spent most of my adult life thinking about these things. So, this is likely to be long and rambling.
First, it was absolutely reprehensible the way our returning Vietnam era veterans were treated by so many who should have known better. Thank god today's citizenry generally honors all those who serve. Of course, it's much easier to be kind when there is no draft and the scale of our conflicts are so much smaller. So, as Sam said, it was a very confused country that heaped scorn on its warriors (kind of like blaming the victims - no?) rather than limiting it to our political leadership.
I was in a "different place" during the Vietnam era having reported to the Air Force Academy 7 days after NS graduation. So too, did Ralph Terpolili and John Pennock from Cicero. Anyhow, as first year cadets, we were required to wear our uniforms all the time -- even when we were traveling on leave or in town on a "pass." The confused public even confronted cadets -- face to face and in other ways. Like when they would come and disrupt our church services at the Academy chapel. It made for good high visibility press.
Hmm the press. Part of the reason the public treated our veterans so badly was the narrative of the unhinged veteran created by the press and Hollywood. So the public mind was manipulated in some sense by a slanted perspective. The public was receptive because they were sick of a long war that seemed to be going nowhere. Still, that was no reason to treat our veterans badly.
Sam pointed out that we were kids thrust into an adult world. I would point out that it's never been different. And I mean never. It's always teenagers and 20 somethings that bear the brunt of war. You all know the old saw, "Young men fight the wars that old men start." I encourage anybody who has never done so, to walk through a military cemetary and read the dates on the tombstones.
Sam also pointed out that the burdens of war aren't evenly shared. Some small percentage of the participants come face to face with the horror of war and carry life long scars -- physical and emotional. It's never been different. Certainly, thanking those who've born that burden means a lot to them but it's also meaningful to those who simply interrupted their life for a few years to do their part. Last summer, I delivered the eulogy for my 96 year old father-in-law. He was drafted at 18 and retired 32 years later in 1974 having served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Despite being an infantry officer, he never found himself in firefight. Just the way things worked out. Nevertheless, he certainly delighted in being thanked for his service. I certainly respected him.
I know someone mentioned the sacrifice the families bear. I couldn't agree more. Although, they don't face physical danger the emotional wear and tear is real. I never really understood what kind of emotional toll my line of work might have had on my family and parents and siblings. I flew fighters for a good part of my career and also was required to jump out of perfectly good airplanes when I was attached to the 82nd Airborne as a forward air controller/battalion Air Liaison Officer for a brief (18 month) period. Anyway, over the years,12 of my squadron mates died in training accidents (crashes). That line of work caused me less anxiety than when my sons, son-in-law and daughter-in-law were being deployed to combat zones over the last 20 years. At one point I had 3 of them deployed at the same time. Both my sons have served 20 year careers and our country has been at war for all of those years. My second oldest was deployed 5 times, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. I'm relieved to say he'll be retiring in January.
Anyhow, I'm not sure where all of this is going. How about some personal opinions I've formed after having thought about this stuff deeply for many years?
1) There are many people in this world who do not share our values. You can't change their value set through military action.
2) The military is designed to fight and win wars. When the fighting ends, military forces aren't particularly effective at building civil societies. They shouldn't be asked to.
3) You should never invade a country with the object of installing a democratic government where none existed before. (see #1 above)
4) You should never kick in the door if you aren't willing to stay at least 50 years (see #3 above). If you aren't willing to stay 50 years maybe the issues at stake don't justify an invasion and occupation.
5) The best way to avoid war is to be well prepared for war. It's sad but it's true.
This has probably gone on long enough. Veterans day is around the corner and to all you veterans out there, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Peace and love to you all.
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