(Here's to the Warriors, continued)

My parents would watch Walter Cronkite on the national news every night. At times it seemed to be a running scoreboard of KIA's. I was too young to understand or dwell on it, but looking back, I know my parents did. Thank goodness our door bell did not ring often. My parents could spot a government car from a mile away. I am sure it is much like families today who dread a news flash, a tweet, or an email from far away countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere. With the instant communication via the internet and the constant threat of insurgents and IED's, it probably makes their lot even more difficult.

When my brother returned home after eighteen months in combat he still smiled and would wrestle with all of us, but he had changed. CLICK HERE to view a 30 second video of our famous wrestling matches with Mike. He was like our father before him. He never talked about what he had occurred in the war. The variety of ribbons and medals on his uniform were silent testimony to him being a proven warrior.

Though war was not discussed in our home, I recall vividly when my mom told us to wake up Mike the morning after he returned.  My little brother, Joe and I were so excited that we jumped on him in his sleep. It was an understatement to say his response surprised us. I was suddenly in the air. His yell and look in his eyes sent us scrambling. We were so naive. Even with that look in his eyes and the yelling, we thought it was pretty funny. Joe and I soon learned to get a stick or throw things at his bed to awaken him. He always jumped up in the same, strange manner. Brothers can be so mean.

He wasn't home very long when I saw my mom crying over her morning coffee. It took a day or two until all of us kids found out why. Mike had volunteered to return to Vietnam for a second tour. All I remember was Mike saying something like, "they need me". If I had to guess, (since I never asked him), the reason he decided to return to Vietnam was not as much for the people of Vietnam, the US Army, or even the President of the United States of America. I believe he did it for his fellow warriors. The young men in helicopters, the men on the ground and the men in the rice paddies. Knowing my brother, he did it for the eighteen year old kids without any experience that were dying so quickly. I think Mike returned to Vietnam to try and slow the number of folded flags and solemn faced men in government vehicles taking that long walk up to the front doors of homes across America, just like ours. I suspect Mike understood he could not stop it completely, because all warriors know someone must walk the point.

Brother Mike

What makes a warrior return? What makes people put the safety of others and their Country before themselves? l am always in awe of warriors. Another warrior friend of mine who fought in Vietnam is Tom Wagner.  Following a firefight, "Wags" was emergency airlifted out, likely feeling the rotor wash and hearing the rhythmic "thumping" of the Huey helicopter rotor blades as a young medic tried to stop the warm blood flowing from a few extra holes in his body. Despite his close brush with death, Tom returned as well to a different harm's way, by serving many more years with the San Diego Police Department.

I feel it is important to remember American service personnel who are on watch around this world, standing guard twenty-four hours a day. Proudly wearing the flag of our country on the upper sleeves of their uniforms. A flag frequently soaked with both their sweat and their blood. As we sleep in our comfortable beds, warriors are at the ready to respond anywhere in the world to protect our freedom.

Brother Rick USN

My brother Mike survived his second tour in Vietnam before going to war again in Iraq. One of my other brothers, Rick became a "brown shoe" or naval aviator like our father. His wife Jennifer was also a Naval Officer. Mike ultimately retired from the US Army and joined Boeing Aerospace to provide civilian support to our latest generation of warriors. Later this week, Mike leaves American soul yet again for another combat zone in Afghanistan. Like I said, warriors are a rare breed

My wish for each of you reading this, is that you and your families have a great Memorial Day. I do ask a personal favor. I am not requesting you to send a text, make a phone call, or send an email like American Idol. I am simply requesting a whisper. A whisper for our heroes past and present. Maybe while you are barbecuing, drinking a beer, petting your dog, or even rubbing your child's head, whisper a little, "thank you". I honestly think in some way all those whispers will be gathered by a higher authority and distributed to all warriors, past and present. Your thoughts may just help them to rest easier or to be even more vigilant in their dangerous and honorable duties.

I look forward to my brother, Mike returning to San Diego in 2013. When he does, I am going to take my mom's lead and tell all three of our young boys, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan to go jump on him in his sleep. My money is solidly on Mike.   Despite him being now in his sixties, I think all our boys will be tossed in the air, just like so very many years ago...
 

Sincerely,