Nov 10, 2023 2 min read

Remember sacrifices of veterans

Remember that time in your life when you didn’t have a care in the world?

You were still in high school, and your big worry was passing a test, who to ask to the dance or if your team was going to win. Your parents and grandparents may not have liked the odd clothes and haircuts you chose. But that was a great time in your life. You looked and acted goofy to be in style, you didn’t have a care in the world and you were invincible.

For the ones who were old enough to be drafted and didn’t get a deferment, life changed in a hurry.

I had a friend who went into the Marine Corps where he thought mouthing off to the drill sergeant was a good idea. He ended up with broken ribs, but he gained the discipline that he needed and retired from the Marine Corps. I remember right before he shipped out to Vietnam, he told everyone that he was a big lean, green fighting machine. His high school worries probably seemed silly when he got off the plane and walked into a war zone. I’m sure when he heard the first bullet whizzing by, he most likely questioned what was he doing in Vietnam.

I remember hearing during World War II, some of the troubled youths heading to jail had a choice between reform school, jail, or entering the military, and I bet that was a difficult decision.

It doesn’t matter which war you served in. These young men and women left as kids and returned as adults. They had to grow up in a hurry if they were going to survive. It takes a special type of person to walk into harm’s way. So many of our veterans started off as the goofy kids without any concerns, but they were willing to go to defend our freedom. We owe them our heartfelt gratitude.

Mark Holtkamp

Washington