Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)
- Who said, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”?
- In what TV show did we hear, “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.”?
- In what song (and who sang it) did we hear:
The sound of your footsteps
Tell me that you’re near
Your soft, gentle motion, babe
Brings out a need in me
That nobody hears except
Thanks to those who commented on my last blog post, “What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?” A few insights:
- “Just my four years in the Navy, I did some remarkable things that some people spend a lifetime to get to. By the age of 25, I was already doing things that were difficult for some people to even think of doing.” – Jim
- “The minute we stepped off that bus from the airport to the naval base in San Diego, and told to fall in formation and strip down to our birthday suit. What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?” – Bill
- “I was 18 with no direction in sight. Made my mind up as I walked through the gate at Great Lakes that I would do the very best I could for the next 4 years. That’s what I did and left after that 4 as ABF2. Never had a single regret except maybe that I should have stayed.” – Randall
- “Fess up. How many of you came off that bus thinking, ‘Oh shit, what have I gotten myself into?’” – Dave
I like to write.
Am I a good writer? I don’t know …
Like many bloggers, I know some of my posts are better than others. But at this point in my life, it’s important to me to keep writing. It gives me a sense of purpose and deep satisfaction.
I write books, too. I’m working on my 9th (a novel), 10th (collection of short stories), and 11th (local men who died during the Vietnam War).
Yeah, I know … you don’t have to say it.
My first “non-business” book was based on my father’s World War II experiences in Europe. You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This: Combat with the 80th ‘Blue Ridge’ Division in World War II Europe. It was published by Casemate Publishers in October 2005 and immediately selected for the November 2005 Military Book Club Book of the Month.
I was floored, and I had no idea that it would be welcomed like that. It’s currently in its 3rd printing.
That was almost 20 years ago. When I read parts of that book again, it still gives me chills to think of what my dad—and thousands of others—went through during the war.
I also created the 80th Division website (www.80thdivision.com) and continue to update it as new materials and information become available. I lost count after 200,000 images, pages, documents, oral histories, unit histories, morning reports, and operational reports on the site.
But that’s my labor of love.
“The Greatest Generation”
A few days ago, I visited my older sister, Anne. She gave me several storage bins of our dad’s WWII memorabilia. I knew she’d had them, and I’d seen them periodically when I visited. We’d look through some of the old photos and letters he wrote home to his parents & two sisters.
I still have all his letters!
We’d look through some of the photos of him and his buddies, some of the bombed-out streets in France & Germany, and many (MANY!) photos of the snow during the blistering winter of the Battle of the Bulge.
Yet, the letters he wrote home never revealed what he and his buddies were going through on a daily basis. Usually, he’d talk about the weather and the beautiful surrounding scenery.
I think that’s what his generation did—not worry his family.
But … we all know what they endured.
That generation, “The Greatest Generation,” (coined by Tom Brokaw), grew up during the Depression. They didn’t share their feelings with family. But … they did with their buddies.
I’ve worked with a dozen or so authors on their World War II stories / diaries / books (mostly 80th Infantry Division soldiers). Many share the same stories, but also the same experiences while growing up:
- “Don’t wake your father while he’s napping on the couch.”
- “Don’t slam the doors in the house.”
- “Your father needs a little time to himself.”
After reading through some of these WWII memoirs, written by their children and grandchildren, I can certainly understand the triggers these men experienced after the war.
My Generation
I’m a Vietnam “era” veteran. I make that distinct point because while I served during the Vietnam War years, I never stepped foot in country, nor did anyone shoot at me or my buddies. I had two duty stations: NAS Agana, Guam and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). My job was an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler (aircraft director and aircraft firefighter).
Glenn Law, John O’Mara, Gary Cuzner (R.I.P.), Andy Adkins
The closest I’d ever come to Vietnamese (other than my Cuong Nhu karate instructor here in Gainesville) was when I took Shore Patrol duty during Westpac ’75.
“Operation Frequent Wind” was the final operation in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, and it began April 29, 1975. The Marines loaded Vietnamese civilians onto helicopters and brought them to waiting aircraft carriers. They were then transported to the Philippines. Many of these refugees were on Grande Island when I took SP duty in September 1975.
Normally, Grande Island was an island paradise frequented by Japanese tourists, but it was now being used to house Vietnamese refugees.
The people were quiet, reserved, and looked somewhat defeated. It was no surprise—they had to quickly leave their homes, many with just the clothes on their backs.
I didn’t talk with any of them; I didn’t know the language and besides, there was a tall chain-link fence separating them from us. There were several kids, however, who came up to the fence waving Vietnamese money. It was not worth anything to them, but I exchanged a few Filipino pisos for several Vietnamese dollars.
It was a sad sight, but from what I’ve read and what I’ve seen, they were much better off here than in Vietnam.
That was truly an eye-opener for me.
The “Mental Weight”
I’m also a member of our local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter here in Gainesville. Periodically, I’ll attend the monthly meetings—a great group of guys. Many of them (me included), are hard of hearing. We also gather twice a year, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, at the local cemetery to pay tribute and honor those who were KIA during the war.
Through these meetings and several private conversations, I’ve noticed veterans tend to open up about their time. Some will talk about humorous events, very much like my dad (and Becky’s dad – 82d Airborne) did while growing up.
Sometimes, I’ll overhear a deeper conversation, almost a whisper … often sharing an emotional experience of the past that just will not go away.
I’ve learned over the years that when a veteran opens up, it’s best not to shut him or her down or walk away, but to listen … really listen to what they’re saying. It’s not just the physical event or the loss of a buddy during war. It’s oftentimes more of an emotional recollection that they may want to forget, but they can’t and—understandably so—will not forget a memory.
There’s a term … “Survivor’s Guilt.” It’s not just related to veterans, but anyone who has survived an event when others didn’t.
That’s a weight not often recognized.
The “Physical Weight”
I saved this one for last, simply because I weigh a “little more” than I did 48 years ago when I got out of the Navy (1977).
I could weigh more … a LOT more … but I’m pretty comfortable. I should weigh less … a LITTLE less … but I’m pretty comfortable with my current “diet.”
The physical weight doesn’t bother me yet. I’m still able to do all the things I want to do. Maybe not as quickly as before, but I can still do them.
Besides … the “physical” weight, at least for me, is lighter than the “mental” weight.
Until we meet again,
Andy
Previous Blogs mentioned in this Post:
- #197—What the Hell Did I Get Myself Into?
- #53—You Always Remember Your First
- #41—Haze Gray and Underway!
- #51—Shore Patrol: It’s Not Just a Job, It’s an Adventure
- #49—Westpac ’75: After Six Months, We’re Coming Home
- #67—Flight Ops: A Day in the Life of Crash & Salvage
- #68—Flight Ops: Another Fine Day in the Navy!
Answers
- George Eliot.
- Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis).
- Midnight Confessions (1968), The Grass Roots; written by Lou T. Josie.