War and Remberance...

Each and every war of our past is one that has always been something that so often before September 11th we placed off. We really for ten years just forgot about our military and the history of all those that have and are making our life a free one. Although at time I do feel that we take what we have for granted.

This is early in the morning and I wish to write later in the day with regards to a few areas and then do a 360. I have seen war, I don't mention much on this and I know people play it. My father was not in the war but led it along with a few others during the era of the Vietnam War. And then I have my grandparents and on my mothers side all her uncles that went over and never came back. There is too much to write within a one blog but there is the other side of things as well.

 

The lost ones that are still alive....

I will never forget en route home in NYC I was just getting out of a gym that is near the Union Turnpike. I could see across the street on that I thought was psychologically unsound and was punching a businessman of eastern decent. I never push it - but I brought the one down to the ground without harming him and the asian gent went off.

Thereafter I looked at this person that was a tad drunk and had not showered in a few days and asked him if he was ok and why did he need to be doing that. I thought he was a lost cause. My friend Jim, had been up and while taking the subway down we both had seen this person and Jim marked it up to one that was disturbed but would not seek help.

I went and sat down and waited for the Bus to take me home. Then this "drunk" came across the street yelling at me. I thought I would have a situation on my hands. So I sat there and listened to him "bark". While this was going on some outbursts of the war came out - at that time I noticed that he was wearing his army clothing althought it was ragged and worn.  Thereafter I asked him if he was in the war, and he told me that he was. Then again he went for it and I took him to the ground and then he got tired of this.

He asked me where I was from and how I knew so much about the miltary. Thereafter I did mention a few things - and I said that in no manner if you say you were a captain - would an officer strike a civilian. I was trying to get across to him while he was sobering up. Mind you, my former wife had just got off the subway and was looking from across the street - she hated anything to do with anger or things as such.

Finally the old vet sat down beside me and we talked. He told me how hard it's been ever since the time he came back from "Nam" and how he did not fit in. I knew he needed help. So I made a barter with him. When your around a proud man you have to tend to it in a manner that you give a person respect but at the same time get your point across. We talked for 15 minutes as it was late and my wife at that time came first. After the discussion, I gave him $100.00 dollars and asked that I would only do it if he met me the next night at the same place but right after I get off the subway. Then we left off with a handshake and he saluted me. He was a goner if I had ever saw one.

He did meet me the next day and he agreed with my plan for help and trusted me. I called my old friend Orlando Perez whom was a police officer for the Brooklyn Area and he was taken into hospital for assessment and then was after six months finally he was placed into a vets home.

Now that is one very true story. But there is a strong amount men that came out of Vietnam and they really were not ever given anything thereafter - I mean they were not honoured as the war was considered a loss. But the people that served in it and then came back some 35% if I recall are homeless and are in this shape. Certainly it's obvious that a person has to walk there own walk but I find that there were many that really did get lost and were never given the honour they so deserved.

I am sure this man at least had some quality of life for the remainder of his years. But for many they still are out there and it's a pity when one goes to war and comes back in any country and does not have the assistance that they need.  So I believe that what we so honour is not just those that are passed away but those that have come back and let us not forget those that are like the above.

There is Mike and he did a great write up which I will link up to this one true story.

Here is his page:

http://wellhell2.multiply.com/journal/item/396/The_Forgotten_Veterans?replies_read=1