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| Beloved with some of his military awards Photo edited for reasons of privacy |
Last weekend Grandson #4 texted Beloved that he had a school assignment requiring him to interview a military veteran. We searched hard to find a suitable photo with Beloved in his uniform and couldn't get it done with the deadline looming up fast for completion of the assignment.
We did the next best thing and staged a photo shoot with some memorabilia from that chapter of our lives, sending that along with a description of duties assigned during the 6-years spent in the Air Force (in addition to four years in ROTC on his university campus).
Wow, that was such a long time ago. It was during the Viet Nam war, but thankfully, Beloved's assignments were always stateside and deep underground. For four years he kept watch on Minuteman missiles for the Strategic Air Command from a bunker some 60 - 90 feet underground (depending on the soil). Then for another nearly two years he worked inside a mountain that housed a multi-story building that rested on huge springs for shock absorption.
During those early years of our marriage, I was busy having children and helping to care for my ailing father-in-law. I knew the work my husband did was very important and he couldn't talk about it much. It wasn't until decades later that I realized the many implications that came with his duties. I was stunned and humbled, even embarrassed at my naiveté.
The military has changed a lot since then. Due to political reasons I won't explore in this post, many of those changes have not been for the good. I fear that the days of widespread patriotism we once knew may never be regained and it will take a very long time to re-build to the strength we once had.
I am thankful for those who are willing to serve in our armed forces now and for those who have served in the past. Many of their sacrifices (and inconveniences) cannot be discussed for reasons of security. It is good to recognize our military and to show them appreciation. They most certainly deserve it.
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