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Ode to the Veterans on Veteran’s Day
(the one to be celebrated on November 11, 2008)
Just who is a veteran and how can you tell?
Is there a tell-tale look or a giveaway demeanor?
No, you would never know who they are except for the ones
who choose to parade on a Fourth of July or on Veteran’s Day itself
(if there’s a Veterans Day parade!)
No, you would never know who they are except for the ones who salute
the flag at those awkward moments at their grandchildren’s’ school
or Little League ceremonies.
No, you will have a difficult time in spotting a veteran because he
(or she!) is the quiet one, the unassuming one, the one who is still
polite, with a naturally unaffected, “Yes, Ma’am” or “No, Sir.” even
to family and certainly to strangers.
This person, this veteran, may still wear an old sailor’s or airman’s
hat but it’s generally so rumpled and torn that anyone would easily
suspect that it did not come from e-Bay or from an Army-Navy Surplus
Store (do they still exist?).
This November Holiday, that began its long ago life with a different
name, has essentially become a smaller event because the ranks of those
who fought in the popular wars are now thinning and disappearing and the
veterans of my little war have finally learned to keep quiet about that
experience. (and I’m still not sure how all of these youngsters, whose
wars have come after mine, will manage their memories.)
A veteran would never advertize a long ago stay at the Hanoi Hilton (or
some other such resort!) for that period would be a time of regret, a
regret for those lost combat days for which the country (or its duly elected
politicians!) had expected (and, in the case of my little war,) demanded.
No, a period of captivity is a time to remain in the past; it is not a badge
of honor though maybe it’s a badge of survival whose methods should always
be beyond polite inquiry and it is certainly not an authority source for moral
pronouncements.
These veterans devote a great deal of effort to imitating a normal life because
of all of their energy spent in keeping their demons from another time, another
place, as much as they can, out of the present.
No explanations are offered for acute reactions to simple things like sounds
and smells because no explanation could be formulated and, anyway, who would
understand it? – another veteran?
Veterans are not dead, for sure they are quite still with us;
those others who have passed on are celebrated more appropriately in May.
Veterans are not dead, for sure they are quite still with us;
living their lives without fanfare or praise for their deeds.
Veterans are not dead, for sure they are quite still with us;
living across the street or around the corner or even quietly next door.
Veterans are not dead, on the contrary, they are quite still with us;
living as if they may never have had their spirits ripped from their bodies.
Veterans are not dead, for sure they are quite still with us;
living their lives as best they can in spite of all they do to try to forget.
Veterans are not dead, for sure they are quite still with us;
Living like anyone of us….. except, of course, ….. they’re not!
Copyright © Robert C. Demler, Jr.
Algiers, Algeria
October 27, 2008 and revised on October 28, 2008
and revised again on November 8, 2008
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