Funny, as a veteran, sometimes it’s hard for me to understand how to accept the thank-you’s on Veteran’s Day. At least it seems that way for me sometimes. Especially after having started out in the Vietnam Era when it wasn’t very popular to be a veteran.
But that is not what I’m here to discuss or harp on!
I’ll leave that to John 15:18:
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
Maybe I can do a little better at offering my thanks to all my brothers and sisters out there who have served our great country! From the days when our country was only a dream in our founding fathers eyes way back in the latter 1700’s we have produced the finest, bravest, most honorable patriots who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today! And today, we continue our history with the service men and women who make up our armed forces today and continue to serve as the finest, bravest and most honorable armed force in the history of the world. My PRIDE in them is border-less and I thank all who have served or are serving today!!!
I am proud to come from a family of veterans, and those who couldn’t, certainly served their community in other forms. Above my desk in my home office hangs a picture of my Grandpa Stambaugh in his Army uniform from ‘The War to end all Wars’, World War I. My father, James Stambaugh Sr., served in the Army during World War II where he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was actually stationed at an army air base, the official Air Force was not established yet, located well above the harbor which actually got hit first as the Japanese fighters flew across the island towards the harbor. He was an aircraft mechanic. As an interesting sideline, I recently saw a report on a particular aircraft, the last of its kind, which was being restored which was left from that air station. My father I believe told me he was in a hanger working on one of these types of planes when the attack occurred. According to the report on the one I see being restored, it was the only one which survived the attack on that base, simply because it was in the hanger and I have to wonder if it’s the same one he was working on. One of my big brothers, David served in the Coast Guard and probably was part of my inspiration in joining the Navy. He only served for four or five years I believe but did offer his service to our country and went on to become a firefighter and paramedic in Dallas, Texas from which he retired many years later. My other big brother James Jr. did not serve but think he probably would have had he had the chance. He suffered an injury, in high school as I recall, playing football for his school which would not have allowed him to join the service. He did however, serve as a Sheriff in Dallas as well. Add to that my Uncle Ross who was taken prisoner of war in Germany during World War II. Surviving that, he continued his service and was again taken prisoner of war in the Korean War. I frequently question if that was out of stupidity or heroism but knowing him as I did before he passed on to heaven, I can firmly state he was a true patriot and it was truly heroism! And there are more!!! I can stand proud of my family and their services and sacrifices they made for our country!!!
For me, I spent roughly 22 1/2 years in the Navy. I can’t honestly say I was being heroic in joining the service when I did, I was only 17 and don’t think I knew what true patriotism was at that point. I think it was a little more along the lines of needing to find something as my folks were probably ready to throw me out and some of the directions my life was going in, it was probably only a matter of time before a judge decided my future! (Oh my!!!) It apparently worked as I ended up making it a career for which I am proud. Shortly after finishing boot camp and a few months of school in Virginia followed by more training in Hawaii and going through combat survival training there, I was ordered to the attack aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) which immediately set out for it’s next tour in Vietnam in the Tonkin Gulf. That deployment was for 14 months and after a short stay back in the homeland I got sent back for a second tour. That tour was cut a little short when a helicopter I was in was shot down behind the lines. I won’t go into all the gruesome details, but those of us who survived spent a number of days trying to survive until we were finally picked up by a Marine Recon unit who found us. (Thus, the beginning of my love for my brothers in the Marine Corps!) Although I had hated it at the time they put me through it, I was now very glad I had been through the survival training! After the Vietnam Era ended, I somehow happened into several other situations I may not have done had it been pure choice. While en-route to some ‘cush’ duty in Puerto Rico, I was stopped when I arrived at the air strip on the base and was re-directed to a helicopter on its way to a ship which was on its way to participate in the operation in Grenada. After that, I ended back up in the Mediterranean and Middle East area for a number of years in the amphibious forces where we conducted a number of operations such as evacuating embassies and a few things we don’t discuss here. Finally, after many years, I’m headed back to some ‘cush’ duty in Virginia Beach where I got mixed up in the Panama operation. Figuring I was safe after that, I stayed there a little longer and eventually, after 21 years, decided to call it good and put my papers in for transfer to the fleet reserve pending my eventual retirement. What a surprise when I was called up on a Friday afternoon and told to pack my bags as my papers had been red lined. I was ordered back to pick up my desert camo gear and we’d be flying out that Monday night for Saudi Arabia where we conducted operation Desert Shield which a few months later turned into Operation Desert Storm!!! Following that, about a year later, I finally escaped and moved into my new life as a civilian again!!! Twenty two years plus trying to evade conflict didn’t work out well for me!!! LOL! It was quite a ride, but I don’t regret one second of it!!!
Now, I often hear from those veterans who were unlucky enough to never actually see service overseas or in combat, that you regret you couldn’t have done more. Always remember, what was done, which often isn’t easy, behind the lines, keeps those on the lines, ALIVE!!! Be PROUD whether you were deployed or not and whether you saw combat or not!!! Anyone who takes the oath to offer their life in defense of their country and for the freedoms their fellow man enjoys, is a HERO!!! (When you look at a hot car, which is more ‘awesome’ – the engine or the tires? The engine of course! But where will the engine take the car without the tires?)
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
– John 15:13
Please enjoy a video I found a few years ago which brings tears to my eyes each year as I watch it on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKqT0-3JV5E
I ASK EVERYONE TO STOP FOR A SECOND TODAY AND OFFER A PRAYER FOR OUR WARRIOR’S OUT THERE PROTECTING US TODAY!!! I also ask you for a prayer for all those who gave their all and never got to come home like I did!!!
WE HERE AT FGGAM WANT TO THANK ALL OUR VETERANS OUT THERE, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!!
