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A SALUTE TO OUR MILITARY VETERANS
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/11/05/a-salute-to-our-military-veterans/
November 5, 2012
If I could, I'd honor every single military veteran who ever served
this country in battle.
It wouldn't matter which war-Japan, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Iraq, or Afghanistan. To me, one bloodshed or emotional scar is as
bad as another.
These are my true heroes, not the baseball players earning megabuck
salaries and the football elite catching million-dollar touchdowns.
Most of the ones I would salute are the anonymous and the unheralded
who look for no ceremonial tributes-quiet heroes whose deeds are
better left unsaid than undone.
As the fight in Afghanistan proceeds to a bitter end while another
in Syria and Libya seems to be escalating, it's time for all of us
to pause and reflect upon all those putting their lives at risk for
the well-being of this country.
It was staggering to see our consulate invaded in Libya and innocent
victims put to death. We owe them and their families a debt of
gratitude on this Veterans' Day. It's a time for not only those who
wear a military uniform but others who continue to make the ultimate
sacrifice.
As I look to Hollywood, I see military films being transfixed upon
our viewing public. The real war is no play act. It's a blood-and-guts
war that can aim its target on my son or your daughter. When a soldier
or Marine dies, I tend to take it very personally as an American. We
all should.
It's incumbent upon each and every one of us to pay homage. One way
would be to fly the American flag from your home or business. Another
is to attend a Veterans' Day parade in your municipality.
In my city, people like American Legion guru John Kazarosian take
no hiatus in organizing parades and getting the youth involved. It
wasn't enough for him to serve the U.S. Navy with admiration. Truth
is, he and others are still serving the ranks, long after discharge.
The pity of it all is that no enough loyalists come out to watch a
Veterans' Day parade. Most people treat the holiday as a day to catch
a few more winks, enjoy a couple beers over the barbeque, and maybe
wax the car. Only a dedicated few will come out to attend the ceremony.
I find it particularly troublesome to see public apathy at a time
like this. On this Veterans' Day, let us all take a moment to reflect.
Let us count our blessings to be living in a homeland where peace
and security reign.
Let us applaud the fact we can worship any faith to our heart's
content, vote for whom we please, raise our children in a relatively
safe environment, and give them the educational opportunities they
richly deserve.
America owes much of her success to the immigrant. Large countries
as well as small have contributed their share in making this country
a haven for the refugee. Our military veterans have preserved that
allegiance with honor, dignity, and extreme patriotism.
Much too often, we pay tribute to the men in our military. So,
here's a vote of gratitude to the women who have served their time
without fanfare. At a time when women were frowned upon to enlist,
many from this city took the ultimate step.
This past Labor Day found me in Boston covering the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) Olympics for the Weekly, a job I've handled for the
past 42 years as a labor of love. That's not the story.
Two men were seated at a table, enjoying the festivities, when a
conversation ensued. One was from California, the other from nearby
Springfield. Upon introducing themselves formally, they discovered
a close tie with one another.
Seems both men served with the army in Korea. Not only that, they
were members of the same platoon at Fort Devens, stationed in the
same barracks. They occupied the same bunk bed-one on top and the
other below.
Now, here they were 60 years later inside a dance hall.
"I still have my draft card," said one, pulling out his wallet.
"So do I," said the other, extracting his. A bit worn around the edges
but very much valid. In the midst of all the commotion, here were two
octogenarians from the same military mold hugging emotionally. After
being shipped to the front lines that year, they lost touch with one
another until fate reunited them on this evening.
The next time you see a military veteran, shake their hand. Show them
a little respect. Above all, thank them for the service they rendered.
Most of them probably wouldn't want the recognition. But nobody
deserves it more.
From: A. Papazian
by Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/11/05/a-salute-to-our-military-veterans/
November 5, 2012
If I could, I'd honor every single military veteran who ever served
this country in battle.
It wouldn't matter which war-Japan, Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Iraq, or Afghanistan. To me, one bloodshed or emotional scar is as
bad as another.
These are my true heroes, not the baseball players earning megabuck
salaries and the football elite catching million-dollar touchdowns.
Most of the ones I would salute are the anonymous and the unheralded
who look for no ceremonial tributes-quiet heroes whose deeds are
better left unsaid than undone.
As the fight in Afghanistan proceeds to a bitter end while another
in Syria and Libya seems to be escalating, it's time for all of us
to pause and reflect upon all those putting their lives at risk for
the well-being of this country.
It was staggering to see our consulate invaded in Libya and innocent
victims put to death. We owe them and their families a debt of
gratitude on this Veterans' Day. It's a time for not only those who
wear a military uniform but others who continue to make the ultimate
sacrifice.
As I look to Hollywood, I see military films being transfixed upon
our viewing public. The real war is no play act. It's a blood-and-guts
war that can aim its target on my son or your daughter. When a soldier
or Marine dies, I tend to take it very personally as an American. We
all should.
It's incumbent upon each and every one of us to pay homage. One way
would be to fly the American flag from your home or business. Another
is to attend a Veterans' Day parade in your municipality.
In my city, people like American Legion guru John Kazarosian take
no hiatus in organizing parades and getting the youth involved. It
wasn't enough for him to serve the U.S. Navy with admiration. Truth
is, he and others are still serving the ranks, long after discharge.
The pity of it all is that no enough loyalists come out to watch a
Veterans' Day parade. Most people treat the holiday as a day to catch
a few more winks, enjoy a couple beers over the barbeque, and maybe
wax the car. Only a dedicated few will come out to attend the ceremony.
I find it particularly troublesome to see public apathy at a time
like this. On this Veterans' Day, let us all take a moment to reflect.
Let us count our blessings to be living in a homeland where peace
and security reign.
Let us applaud the fact we can worship any faith to our heart's
content, vote for whom we please, raise our children in a relatively
safe environment, and give them the educational opportunities they
richly deserve.
America owes much of her success to the immigrant. Large countries
as well as small have contributed their share in making this country
a haven for the refugee. Our military veterans have preserved that
allegiance with honor, dignity, and extreme patriotism.
Much too often, we pay tribute to the men in our military. So,
here's a vote of gratitude to the women who have served their time
without fanfare. At a time when women were frowned upon to enlist,
many from this city took the ultimate step.
This past Labor Day found me in Boston covering the Armenian Youth
Federation (AYF) Olympics for the Weekly, a job I've handled for the
past 42 years as a labor of love. That's not the story.
Two men were seated at a table, enjoying the festivities, when a
conversation ensued. One was from California, the other from nearby
Springfield. Upon introducing themselves formally, they discovered
a close tie with one another.
Seems both men served with the army in Korea. Not only that, they
were members of the same platoon at Fort Devens, stationed in the
same barracks. They occupied the same bunk bed-one on top and the
other below.
Now, here they were 60 years later inside a dance hall.
"I still have my draft card," said one, pulling out his wallet.
"So do I," said the other, extracting his. A bit worn around the edges
but very much valid. In the midst of all the commotion, here were two
octogenarians from the same military mold hugging emotionally. After
being shipped to the front lines that year, they lost touch with one
another until fate reunited them on this evening.
The next time you see a military veteran, shake their hand. Show them
a little respect. Above all, thank them for the service they rendered.
Most of them probably wouldn't want the recognition. But nobody
deserves it more.
From: A. Papazian