Thank You For Your Service (A Moment of Truth)

SPC Margaret Higgins thanks so much for your kind words. I do want to clarify though that I served immediately following Viet Nam ('76-'82). So while I did not actually serve in that war, I served with many VN Vets. It was a two-edged sword. On one hand I had the opportunity to train under and with many motivated and highly skilled combat veterans. On the other hand, I ended up helping many who were suffering from various forms of PTSD and other personal issues in transitioning stateside and into civilian life.

Sgt Martin Querin - I do, indeed, thank you Greatly; for your service to a supportive and loving you country.
I too, work with those suffering with PTSD. I am the coach of my: 'Group for Police Officers: Suicidal/Depressed/PTSD'.
Sergeant Querin, you are a hero to me; and I thank thee for assisting those who have PTSD....Greatly. SERGEANT QUERIN, A VERY, VERY MERRY AND PEACEFUFL CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS- Margaret

SPC Margaret Higgins - and a very merry and blessed Christmas and New Year to you Margaret.

Sgt Martin Querin - Thanks so very kindly, Sergeant Querin. GOD BLESS YOU THIS CHRISTMAS, IN THE COMING YEAR AND FOREVER- Margaret

I too remember SFC William Farrell, frankly even though I served immediately post-VN it pissed me off the way people were treating VN vets. I joined for two reasons: it was my duty to serve and protect this Country; I didn't feel I could ask anyone to protect me if I wasn't willing to make the same commitment. So what angered me the most was I felt they were cowards, unwilling to commit themselves, but denigrating those that risked their lives to protect them.

People may say what they want about President Reagan, but one of the lasting legacies of his presidency will be restoring the Esprit de Corps and respect for our military. Oorah and Hooah to your memory President!

Sgt Martin Querin - When I am out and about in a military ball cap, the few times that someone comes up to me with hand out and says "Thank you for your service", I always respond with a smile and say the same thing you just did to me, "it was my pleasure.

Sgt Martin Querin - Your comments about President Reagan are spot on. He was our commander-in-Chief in 1986 and he was no tame C-in-C. I was in the Med with a huge Battle group on the Guided Missile Cruiser Bainbridge. Qaddafi was acting up and was responsible for blowing up the 747 Pan Am flight over Scotland. He was also responsible for bombing a night club in Germany used by our GI's. Qaddafi drew a line in the med and said any ship or aircraft that crosses that line is dead! The president did not hesitate and he immediately gave the order for our battle-group to cross that line of death , which was in international waters. We decimated his entire military and bombed the hell out of his Palace and in about 24 hours it was all over. Done deal, no fooling around. Qaddafi survived, but he was very quiet for a long time after that!

There is a gap that no one really talks about, as a young Soldier I arrived at my first duty Station after a my AIT ,(72 Weeks of intense training), and I was not prepared to work around Soldiers that had come back from Vietnam nor did I understand them. It was rough to see the shape that they were in and they still continued the mission and we learned not to talk about Vietnam. Our training was like life and death. My respect for them is above all else; I remember SP/4 Russell ,Co. C 124th Maint. BN. 2nd AD, he committed suicide in the shop office because he was bared from re-enlistment. Most of them are still fighting Vietnam. The gap is after 1975-1980.

Nice reply PO3 Bob McCord - and I agree SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth, they are out there and there are more that do appreciate than those that don't any more.

Sgt Martin Querin - Yes they are.

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth - I too recently had two high school kids thank me for my service, at first I thought they were spoofing me, but they really did mean it!

CWO3 Dennis M. - That's great to hear.