Opinion/Editorial
THE THIRTEEN SAMURAI
Thirteen American warriors died at a gate leading into Kabul Airport in Afghanistan the other day. Those warfighters belonged to the same unit I was wounded while serving in Vietnam so many years before. Sometimes those occurrences deeply affect us all, but probably affect combat veterans more than anyone else. As a combat veteran myself, I can only speak for those feelings and reactions, as you can’t go back to being a non-combat veteran once you’ve become one.
Would that life be so accommodating and kind as to allow for that circumstance? The Japanese used to refer to all warriors of old times as Samurai. It is a good word and crosses military services, rank, and designations. The thirteen Samurai were shipped back home to Dover Airfield where they were met by the President and a full montage of high-ranking dignitaries. The flag-wrapped aluminum boxes were formally carried to trucks, in order to await final arrangements by the surviving families, in conjunction with the military.
Times have changed for the better, since the days of the Vietnam War. Veterans are no longer considered as lowly as they once were, and that has been a good thing for all veterans coming home from wars since that Asian conflict. These Thirteen Samurai, as I have termed them, will have their names remembered with reverence and honor. Tables are still being set for them although they will never sit to imbibe from them. One such photo of an honoring of this nature is included with this brief article. Also, offered herein is an incident, that more than likely occurred in the place where you live or work. Downtown Lake Geneva has its veterans, as well as people responding to them, and the response last March 29th was written up on Facebook and is now repeated here for your own edification:
“Yesterday was Vietnam Veterans Day…and I didn’t give a damn, really. How can the regular public be expected to understand or care about what we went through over in that god-forsaken country and war of the time? They can’t. I was in the Avant Coffee Shop in Lake Geneva around noon. I went up to the counter. Andrew was working the barista role, so I asked for a cup of coffee. He went to cold brew, pour-over, or whatever baristas do these days to make great coffee. I waited and talked to him while he worked, there being nobody else in the place to occupy either one of us.
I told him it was Vietnam Veterans Day, but didn’t go into any detail, positive or negative. He slid the coffee mug across the counter when he was done, ignoring the five-dollar bill I was holding out. “It’s on me,” he said. I looked at him in surprise. “For what?” I asked. “Vietnam Veterans Day,” he replied. I was struck dumb. I put my five into the tip jar. I went back to my table and sat there for a while. I was touched to the core, and I could not figure out why.
To Andrew, the gesture seemed so casual and natural, or so it seemed. I sit here, in the same place today, wondering why I was so affected, as I was. And I am. Out there in the world, those of you who might read this and think seemingly small gestures do not mean much, think again. I am sitting here thinking, about how great Avant is and Andrew working in it…and my town…and my life. One small, and not overly expensive cup of coffee, delivered without any ceremony and a few words.
I was, and remain, ‘reached’ and I think all of us should reflect on that…and maybe seek to ‘reach’ a few others. Here’s Andrew, at Avant, in Lake Geneva. The world as we know it is populated with such quiet, wonderful souls, and I hope to know more of them before I move on. I fought for something and people like Andrew help me to understand why and that it was not all for nothing.”
Somewhere, probably somewhere back in the USA, there are commanders of warriors who lost 13 of their ‘Samurai,’ all at one time. I remember being a commander of warriors in such circumstances. The way back home for these leaders still living because they’ve not come yet and that’s for certain, even though they are here among us, is through those who are around and caring for and about them. That kind of support wasn’t there following the Vietnam War, but it is now, and I cannot tell you how much it means to warriors who somehow have come to find themselves in that impossible and unforgiving circumstance. We can grieve for those we’ve lost, who have given it all for our best interest, but we can also take care of those who suffered such circumstances, and then came home only to find that home isn’t like it was when they left it. We all must make a home for that person, and others like him. That home is here, just like those post-traumatic leaders left it not so long in the past, it’s just that they are not the persons who left to go to war, and they can’t go back to being those other guys and gals. It’s the small things that count. There are 13 beers set up on a table with a small sign as to why they are there, and not being consumed, as the small wooden table overlooking Lake Como. Small gestures like that will reach those warriors who went, and now are trying their best to come home. Let’s all work to understand and help them.
If you would like to read my experiences of my 30 Days in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam the story is available via eBooks, Paperbacks, or reading here on Website
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Nice thoughts about veterans and the difference of their experiences coming home from wars. Not all are the same, but all deserve our love and respect. They chose to serve and retuned afterwards to be amongst us.
Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, died, deserve our humble thanks. Their families our greatest thanks and condolences.
Thanks for your encouragement and comment, Barry
Thanks, Jim.
You are right about the world, and the USA, changing while we were gone. And the “welcome” that never really came. For many years, I never mentioned to anyone that I had spent almost a year over there. My kids were a long time finding out.
But the world changed again. 9/11 happened, for one thing. But the general air towards combat vets went through a 180. And finally, about 2010 or so, I started wearing a “Vietnam Vet” ball cap. And was (and still am) astonished if someone in a Waffle House paid for my meal, or came over and said “Thanks”.
In 2008, my health started taking a dive – “arthritis” was the culprit. Had to quit the work I loved so very much, as a wetlands and wildlife biologist, out in the woods and swamps by myself most days. I moved out to Oklahoma, as Florida is mostly as flat as a board, and I had relatives there. The health continued to decline, and my kids dragged me here to Ohio. Needing some meds renewed led me to start going to the VA for health – and the VA here was lightyears ahead of Oklahoma.
Wasn’t long before they did a complete work-up, and the neurologists and cardio docs told me to file a claim, and also fixed the blow-out in my heart. My retirement got a lot more comfortable with the disability pay – “Agent Orange” is what they told me.
Health is STILL going south. Still have a hard time maintaining relationships. But, found a good church, and some good, honest friends, and am really doing OK.
And still being surprised when someone says, “Thanks”.
Which is what I say to you for writing your trilogy, which was a REAL “Welcome Home”.
James LT Junior I spent 23 Army years 20 of them were for trying to forget the first 3 Yes changes have happened and I am grateful every time someone stops me and thanks me I always Thank Them and say it was an Honor !! I have been the state Commander for The Disabled American Veterans twice another Honor Working continually as an outreach advocate for returning Veterans has been both rewarding and frustrating COVID did us no favors as Government bunkered down in self protection mode and Veterans and Their Families have suffered because of it. I will encourage ANY VETERAN to make contact with Service Reps for DAV VFW VVA Purple Heart and all the others out there and Receive what You deserve as You age it doesnt get better Each state has one group that functions head and shoulders above the others find out which one that is in your state ANDUSE THEM dnt blow it off God Bless All Y’all and the Work of Your Hands Have a Peaceful and Blessed Thanksgiving PS one of those 13 was from here ( George )
Thank you for your heartfelt comment, George.
James Strauss