I learned today that my dad received a bronze star while in service in Vietnam. He also received medals for meritorious service and something from the south Vietnamese government for his service.
He wasn't "in the ****"...he was in the Air Force in Da Nang. I understand many consider bronze stars and MSAs are considered just cupcake medals (especially when the star isn't accompanied by a "V" for valor). He doesn't talk about the war...I'm sure he knows his sacrifice wasn't as great as those who were shot at. However, I'm quite proud. I was proud when he was promoted to Lt. Colonel.
About the only stories he's told me are when he returned home and was spat on by people calling him a baby killer. They didn't know that he lost a wife and my two half brothers due to his service.
I'm mostly proud because he has NEVER bragged or talked about his service, never. Nothing against the fine men who wear the Vietnam hats, but my old man has been very quiet about his military record. I was so surprised today when my mom sent me his discharge papers and I saw what he accomplished. She didn't even know about the bronze star. Neither did I.
During the last years of his Air Force career, he was instrumental in the program to get the Turkish military the F-16. Afterwards, he worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin on several programs with international governments to secure delivery of the F-16.
He retired from Lockheed about 12 years ago. Honestly, he was about the smartest man I've ever known. He was a hard father and a hard husband. He never indulged in anything for himself. I don't know how he did it, but he afforded a private school education for me and my brother.
In the past few years, his mental ability has been failing him. Apparently, his brain isn't draining fluid and it's caused some significant damage. He finds it difficult to choose the right words, his cognition is weak. The worst part is that it's not Alzheimer's or dementia and he is well aware of his failings.
It breaks my heart that a man who hosted foreign dignitaries is reduced to watching tv and searching for words. I told him today how proud I am of him, not only because of his accomplishments, but because of the stolid way in which he lived his life without boasting.
I'm not sure the point of this post...
He wasn't "in the ****"...he was in the Air Force in Da Nang. I understand many consider bronze stars and MSAs are considered just cupcake medals (especially when the star isn't accompanied by a "V" for valor). He doesn't talk about the war...I'm sure he knows his sacrifice wasn't as great as those who were shot at. However, I'm quite proud. I was proud when he was promoted to Lt. Colonel.
About the only stories he's told me are when he returned home and was spat on by people calling him a baby killer. They didn't know that he lost a wife and my two half brothers due to his service.
I'm mostly proud because he has NEVER bragged or talked about his service, never. Nothing against the fine men who wear the Vietnam hats, but my old man has been very quiet about his military record. I was so surprised today when my mom sent me his discharge papers and I saw what he accomplished. She didn't even know about the bronze star. Neither did I.
During the last years of his Air Force career, he was instrumental in the program to get the Turkish military the F-16. Afterwards, he worked for General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin on several programs with international governments to secure delivery of the F-16.
He retired from Lockheed about 12 years ago. Honestly, he was about the smartest man I've ever known. He was a hard father and a hard husband. He never indulged in anything for himself. I don't know how he did it, but he afforded a private school education for me and my brother.
In the past few years, his mental ability has been failing him. Apparently, his brain isn't draining fluid and it's caused some significant damage. He finds it difficult to choose the right words, his cognition is weak. The worst part is that it's not Alzheimer's or dementia and he is well aware of his failings.
It breaks my heart that a man who hosted foreign dignitaries is reduced to watching tv and searching for words. I told him today how proud I am of him, not only because of his accomplishments, but because of the stolid way in which he lived his life without boasting.
I'm not sure the point of this post...