Marc Hoover
Memorial Day 2016 arrives on Monday. It’s a holiday that remembered Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. Eventually, the holiday honored veterans of all foreign wars. Last September, I visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam War Memorial. The cemetery is the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War and other military conflicts.

While at Arlington, I visited the graves of Audie Murphy, Lee Marvin, John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy and Ira Hayes, a Marine who helped place the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima. The flag raising photograph has become an American icon. I also visited the grave of Medal of Honor winner John Basilone, who died at Iwo Jima.

Before leaving, I watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As I left the cemetery, I could almost hear these deceased warriors telling me to never forget that my freedom came at a cost.

I then visited the Vietnam War Memorial. The wall lists 58,000 deceased men who died in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. I spoke to a volunteer who had served in Vietnam. He said that many Vietnam veterans return to say goodbye to their buddies who didn’t make it home. Of all the veterans, the Vietnam War veteran has a special place in my heart for two reasons. One, my father spent two combat tours in Vietnam. Two, like other war veterans, America didn’t consider my father and his Vietnam War brethren heroes. Instead, they were called “baby killers” or murderers.

My father and thousands of other young men received draft notices. They put their lives on hold, joined the military and then travelled to an unfamiliar country. The American government never offered a legitimate reason for sending these “lost boys” to Vietnam. While thousands of young men complied with the draft, others fled the country or used family influence to avoid the draft. The war was unpopular with Americans as they rioted and protested the war. After completing a year-long tour of duty, veterans still didn’t understand why their government had sent them to Vietnam.

After my father returned from Vietnam, he rarely discussed his time in country. He was angry and lived with “survivor’s remorse.” He didn’t think it was fair that he came home while so many of his friends returned in body bags. Many Vietnam veterans may have survived physically, but they left their hearts and souls somewhere in a Godforsaken rice paddy. After their tours ended, they came home alone. They weren’t greeted with parades or even welcomed home. Other than close family and friends, no one cared. Many Vietnam veterans didn’t discuss their experiences because no one wanted to hear about them. Many returning veterans became homeless, suicidal, or addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Thankfully, America now recognizes the efforts of the Vietnam veterans. Also, America still has enough Vietnam veterans around to make sure our latest combat veterans aren’t mistreated. The military veteran does a job you don’t want to do. They will shed blood for your right to post negative thoughts about them or America on social media. Finally, these soldiers volunteer to join the military so your children won’t be drafted. So if you see a military veteran, be sure to thank them for their service.

Marc is a grandfather and longtime Clermont County resident. Visit his author page at http://www.lifewithgrandpa.com and blog at http://www.wisegrandpa.com.