Keeping It Real for November 7, 2009

• By TONY BROWN
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Nov 7, 2009 - Page: 9B

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During a 6 1/2 year enlistment in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I crossed the paths of many good people, both officers and enlisted, of different races and backgrounds. I don’t recall one person, no matter how he felt about the politics of the commander in chief at the time, who did not feel a sense of pride and honor wearing the uniform.

It meant something to be part of an organization that is the best in the world at what it does, helping defend the greatest nation in the world. It’s that way no matter the branch of the military to which you belong.

My enlistment was during peacetime so I never saw any “action” in a war. Nevertheless, one of the most vivid memories I have took place one summer at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss., during one of our annual two-week training exercises. After several days of training on weapons and tactics, we were treated to a nighttime demonstration of what was called “final protective fire,” to show what it looks like when a unit defends itself against attack.

The demonstration took place at sundown, after a day of trekking through Mississippi woods playing war games. With a bunch of weekend warriors standing on a hill and looking into a valley, I stared in awe as Claymore anti-personnel mines, grenades and the like were set off and M16 rifles and M60 machine guns spit tracer rounds into the darkness.

I remember thinking at the time if that was a fraction of what it was like being in a war and no one was shooting back, I certainly   didn’t want any part of the real thing.

“War is hell,” Gen. William T. Sherman said.

Perhaps the media, Hollywood or politicians glamorize war. Maybe it is because we know that despite all of its problems, the U.S. military might is still the best in the world. While that might be true, only fools rush into war without taking into account the cost. Real people fight wars, so real lives are affected.

War is a necessary evil because we share the planet with some who either don’t know or don’t respect boundaries. When diplomatic efforts are exhausted and no other means of reason seems to work, a country must stand its ground and fight to preserve its existence.

The price for standing on the wall to defend America’s freedom is high. Men and women in the military services take great risk and make the ultimate sacrifice because of love of country. Yes, many of them lose their lives, and we honor their memory. Let us not forget, however, those who return. Some of them have lost arms or legs or just the ability to enjoy a quiet moment. They, too, pay a high price. And whatever affects them affects those around them, so add the families to the war tab.

My father, a very private man, is a veteran of the Vietnam War. It’s been more than 30 years since he was in the service, and he still doesn’t talk about his time there. My aunt, his sister, said when he returned she saw a picture of him with some of his Army buddies. When she asked about them, he said all of them were dead, and she never again asked him about the war.

Anyone who stands between the enemy and the innocent, holding his ground, staying at his post until the enemy is gone or help arrives, ignoring his fears and his preference to be elsewhere while bullets are flying and bombs are going off and still makes it home is a hero in my book.

Wednesday is Veterans Day. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 23 million veterans living in this country. If you happen to run into a veteran or anyone in the military, take that moment to say thank you on behalf of a grateful nation.