Nov. 11 marks Veterans Day
By SETH GRIFFIN
Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: Features
"Veterans Day, for me, is to remember our fallen brothers and those who are still alive," Senter said.
"Especially those who are still in harm's way," Bolt added.
Many of the soldiers returning from Vietnam received little gratitude when they returned home. Often they were not met with cheering crowds and waving flags, but rather with hurled insults or silent indifference. Ritchie, Bolt and Senter were all drafted into the Army and served their tour of duty during the Vietnam War. However, none of them received the thanks they deserved upon their return because many Americans did not support the war.
Because of their experiences, all three men, and many others like them, are dedicated to ensuring that such things do not happen to the soldiers currently serving overseas in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. Ritchie said whether or not they support the government's decisions or reasoning behind the current conflicts, they are "behind the troops 100 percent." He also said the military is necessary and deserves the support of the people it serves.
"The world is full of people who want what [the U.S.] have," Bolt said.
"And they want us to bend over backwards to give it to them," Ritchie continued.
Veterans' associations across the country, such as the VFW, the American Legion and others, greet returning troops with waving flags and salutes, while joining families, friends and others in making sure that the soldiers receive the homecoming that their service warrants. They support the families of soldiers in combat while they are away and send care packages to troops overseas including necessary items, such as toiletries, as well as other things, such as decks of cards, books, and even home-baked cookies that are vacuum-sealed to remain fresh.
Ritchie recalled a care package he received while serving in Vietnam that was less well-prepared. He got a beat-up box containing a smashed fruitcake that had apparently been sent for Christmas, although the package did not arrive until a few months into the next year. Ritchie said that he shared the fruitcake with his squad mates, and that they ate it by simply dipping their hands into the pile of crumbs and scooping it out.
The members of the U.S. military do not simply serve their country, but every individual American as well. The U.S. citizens owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated men and women in uniform.
Senter put it best when he said, "Appreciate what you have today. Thank a veteran."
"Especially those who are still in harm's way," Bolt added.
Many of the soldiers returning from Vietnam received little gratitude when they returned home. Often they were not met with cheering crowds and waving flags, but rather with hurled insults or silent indifference. Ritchie, Bolt and Senter were all drafted into the Army and served their tour of duty during the Vietnam War. However, none of them received the thanks they deserved upon their return because many Americans did not support the war.
Because of their experiences, all three men, and many others like them, are dedicated to ensuring that such things do not happen to the soldiers currently serving overseas in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. Ritchie said whether or not they support the government's decisions or reasoning behind the current conflicts, they are "behind the troops 100 percent." He also said the military is necessary and deserves the support of the people it serves.
"The world is full of people who want what [the U.S.] have," Bolt said.
"And they want us to bend over backwards to give it to them," Ritchie continued.
Veterans' associations across the country, such as the VFW, the American Legion and others, greet returning troops with waving flags and salutes, while joining families, friends and others in making sure that the soldiers receive the homecoming that their service warrants. They support the families of soldiers in combat while they are away and send care packages to troops overseas including necessary items, such as toiletries, as well as other things, such as decks of cards, books, and even home-baked cookies that are vacuum-sealed to remain fresh.
Ritchie recalled a care package he received while serving in Vietnam that was less well-prepared. He got a beat-up box containing a smashed fruitcake that had apparently been sent for Christmas, although the package did not arrive until a few months into the next year. Ritchie said that he shared the fruitcake with his squad mates, and that they ate it by simply dipping their hands into the pile of crumbs and scooping it out.
The members of the U.S. military do not simply serve their country, but every individual American as well. The U.S. citizens owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated men and women in uniform.
Senter put it best when he said, "Appreciate what you have today. Thank a veteran."
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