December and the Greatest Generation

December is always a month when my emotions run rampant. It is the month I left for and arrived in Vietnam - 1970. I think of my journey and how lucky I was to have so many wonderful GI's cross my path while in the Army, if only for a short time. They were my co-workers, defenders, friends and confidants. They were soldiers who defended their country and who came when they were called. At the 24th they were the ones who cared for, and saved, so many lives. They were skilled, dedicated and caring and I'm so proud that I was able to be part of the 24th.

December brings great sadness. I guess that is because that is the time when my life was forever changed. I'm sad that I am no longer there and I miss those who I have crossed paths with and the friends I made while in the service. There is also great sadness, horror and loss as I think of those who came in who were wounded so badly and those who died fighting for our freedoms. Their images are forever burned in my memory.

December is also the month Pearl Harbor was bombed and when one hears even more of the Greatest Generation, those who served in WW2 or were a part of that period. I really began to wonder this year about who the Greatest Generation is. As I've thought about this I came to believe that Greatest Generation should not be limited to WW2. We have those who served during the Korean War - the Silent War. Were they not the Greatest Generation of their time? Aren't those who served in Vietnam the Greatest Generation? We also have those who served in the Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, are they not the Greatest Generation of their time? Who determines who the Greatest Generation is? Should we not consider that all service men and women who served are part of the Greatest Generation of their time?

And one should also consider the support of the American Public. It was firmly behind our Country during WW2. What was it during the Korean War? I know it was not there during the Vietnam war. Does the lacking of that support make those who served less than the Greatest Generation? I don't believe it does. Servicemen and women served, supported, fought, were wounded and died no matter what or when the war was. And each war has different circumstances, struggles, etc. And regardless of what the American public felt of that war, those who served came when they were called. They did not decide to start a war to go to war, they just came when called and because of them we, as Americans, have the freedoms we have today. And regardless of what Americans think of the war, they should never take it out on a service member or veteran - just provide full support and respect for him or her regardless of the war.

So as December ends I again find myself is this very emotional state of happiness, sorrow, horror and anger. (The same emotions I feel throughout the year.) I know I will never forget, nor would I want to forget. I will always miss those I served with. And to those patients who were ill, wounded or died and our paths crossed - there is a special place in my heart for you and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.