Guest guest Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 When I was a young soldier during the Vietnam War, I was asked why anyone would anyone would want to do such a thing. I'm sure most of us have been asked that same question no matter what the war or the time we served. The answer is so simple, yet so complex, that some have never been able to understand. They merely look with that quizzical expression we all know and shake their heads. We came for many reasons. Some for an ideal, the fight for God, Country, Freedom. Others, in my time, were unwilling participants in the beginning. Some had no other place to go and faced a bleak future. We came from every background. Some were highly educated, others barely able to sign their name. We were every race, color, creed, and ethnic group. We started out as individuals, independent and strangers to one another. We became FAMILY. We ate together, slept together, drank together, fought and died together. Like all siblings, we had our squabbles and disagreements. Yet, when the time came, again like all siblings, we banded together. We were never alone because there was always our brothers and sisters there in our time of need. Whether that need be for protection from the enemy, or an hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. We were always there for each other. We went for diverse reasons. We stayed, fought, bled, and died for FAMILY. Those that have shared this bond know, those that haven't will never understand. Today, I belong to another family. Again, we come from every background and every place. We joined this family for any number of reasons. Ask any medic and they will tell you a different story. Today, my family is the EMS community. Again, we fight, squabble, and bicker, but we are always standing by should a brother or sister need us. Every time the lights flash and the sirens sound, we put ourselves in harms way for the greater good. We choose to serve because of the kind of people we are. None outside our family will understand how and why we do. Those inside will always know and understand. Regardless of whether you are EMS, Fire, Police, or Military, you are one of the special, the chosen, the blessed. You know the bond. The bond may be strained at times, but can never be broken. To all who serve, I salute you. Stand tall with pride. You are special and do what few others can. Though you be may be looked down on and even ridiculed for what you do, always remember how special a person you are. Pity those that do this for they will never know or understand what we share or the pride we feel in each other. To all my Brothers and Sisters that serve in whatever capacity, stand tall with pride, for today the world will be a better place for having you in it doing what you do. May whichever God you serve watch over you and keep you safe. The world would be greatly diminished without you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Thanks Joe: You hit it right on the head. As we were both VietNam era vets, and my bonus is Desert Shield and Storm,plus Bosnia, and I almost went to Iraq. We got a letter from one of troopers I guard jealously as he is a high speed medic and was like when I was a young Sergeant in many ways. We all stick together as family in EMS and the military. This is something a lot of people don't understand. As General put it " When this hits the fan(war) each other is all we have, take care of each other, teach others to take care of each other " . He said this as he prepared his cavalry troops to ride out to the Nam. Today is a day remember all my buds both living and dead, and long after we hung up our uniforms,rifles,pistols,and web gear. I honor you and respect you God bless, Rick Why We Fought When I was a young soldier during the Vietnam War, I was asked why anyone would anyone would want to do such a thing. I'm sure most of us have been asked that same question no matter what the war or the time we served. The answer is so simple, yet so complex, that some have never been able to understand. They merely look with that quizzical expression we all know and shake their heads. We came for many reasons. Some for an ideal, the fight for God, Country, Freedom. Others, in my time, were unwilling participants in the beginning. Some had no other place to go and faced a bleak future. We came from every background. Some were highly educated, others barely able to sign their name. We were every race, color, creed, and ethnic group. We started out as individuals, independent and strangers to one another. We became FAMILY. We ate together, slept together, drank together, fought and died together. Like all siblings, we had our squabbles and disagreements. Yet, when the time came, again like all siblings, we banded together. We were never alone because there was always our brothers and sisters there in our time of need. Whether that need be for protection from the enemy, or an hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. We were always there for each other. We went for diverse reasons. We stayed, fought, bled, and died for FAMILY. Those that have shared this bond know, those that haven't will never understand. Today, I belong to another family. Again, we come from every background and every place. We joined this family for any number of reasons. Ask any medic and they will tell you a different story. Today, my family is the EMS community. Again, we fight, squabble, and bicker, but we are always standing by should a brother or sister need us. Every time the lights flash and the sirens sound, we put ourselves in harms way for the greater good. We choose to serve because of the kind of people we are. None outside our family will understand how and why we do. Those inside will always know and understand. Regardless of whether you are EMS, Fire, Police, or Military, you are one of the special, the chosen, the blessed. You know the bond. The bond may be strained at times, but can never be broken. To all who serve, I salute you. Stand tall with pride. You are special and do what few others can. Though you be may be looked down on and even ridiculed for what you do, always remember how special a person you are. Pity those that do this for they will never know or understand what we share or the pride we feel in each other. To all my Brothers and Sisters that serve in whatever capacity, stand tall with pride, for today the world will be a better place for having you in it doing what you do. May whichever God you serve watch over you and keep you safe. The world would be greatly diminished without you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Joe, you couldn't have put it any better. Although I never served in the military, my father was an Air Force pilot - so that is the way I grew up. I am now a paramedic married to a cop, and I agree - those " outside " can never fully understand. They also don't know what they are missing. God Bless all who serve, now or in the past, as you continue to serve others. Kathy Birdwell, L.P. Joe wrote: When I was a young soldier during the Vietnam War, I was asked why anyone would anyone would want to do such a thing. I'm sure most of us have been asked that same question no matter what the war or the time we served. The answer is so simple, yet so complex, that some have never been able to understand. They merely look with that quizzical expression we all know and shake their heads. We came for many reasons. Some for an ideal, the fight for God, Country, Freedom. Others, in my time, were unwilling participants in the beginning. Some had no other place to go and faced a bleak future. We came from every background. Some were highly educated, others barely able to sign their name. We were every race, color, creed, and ethnic group. We started out as individuals, independent and strangers to one another. We became FAMILY. We ate together, slept together, drank together, fought and died together. Like all siblings, we had our squabbles and disagreements. Yet, when the time came, again like all siblings, we banded together. We were never alone because there was always our brothers and sisters there in our time of need. Whether that need be for protection from the enemy, or an hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. We were always there for each other. We went for diverse reasons. We stayed, fought, bled, and died for FAMILY. Those that have shared this bond know, those that haven't will never understand. Today, I belong to another family. Again, we come from every background and every place. We joined this family for any number of reasons. Ask any medic and they will tell you a different story. Today, my family is the EMS community. Again, we fight, squabble, and bicker, but we are always standing by should a brother or sister need us. Every time the lights flash and the sirens sound, we put ourselves in harms way for the greater good. We choose to serve because of the kind of people we are. None outside our family will understand how and why we do. Those inside will always know and understand. Regardless of whether you are EMS, Fire, Police, or Military, you are one of the special, the chosen, the blessed. You know the bond. The bond may be strained at times, but can never be broken. To all who serve, I salute you. Stand tall with pride. You are special and do what few others can. Though you be may be looked down on and even ridiculed for what you do, always remember how special a person you are. Pity those that do this for they will never know or understand what we share or the pride we feel in each other. To all my Brothers and Sisters that serve in whatever capacity, stand tall with pride, for today the world will be a better place for having you in it doing what you do. May whichever God you serve watch over you and keep you safe. The world would be greatly diminished without you. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 The best answer I ever heard to " Why did you join the military? " is " If you have to ask, you'll never understand. " Phil Reynolds Jr. 115 Harold Dr. Burnet, TX., 78611 HP CP __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 Semper Fi Re: Why We Fought The best answer I ever heard to " Why did you join the military? " is " If you have to ask, you'll never understand. " Phil Reynolds Jr. 115 Harold Dr. Burnet, TX., 78611 HP CP __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 The best answer I ever heard to " Why did you join the military? " is " If you have to ask, you'll never understand. " " I serve so that folks like you (speaking to a liberal professor of medicine) don't have to serve. " a moment of thought on the part of the professor, " Ah, I do understand...thank you. " ck Re: Why We Fought The best answer I ever heard to " Why did you join the military? " is " If you have to ask, you'll never understand. " Phil Reynolds Jr. 115 Harold Dr. Burnet, TX., 78611 HP CP __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.