October 2024

He was jarred awake from dreams about home by a rocking explosion. As he gathered his thoughts and composure, he was further greeted by the rain of steel from automatic weapons fire and the illumination of the night from more explosions and flares. Hastily putting on his flak jacket and scrambling to get in the turret behind the .50 Caliber, an incoming round ricocheted off the gun shield and caught his leg. Not feeling the pain, he began returning fire towards the muzzle flashes in the distance. What seemed like an eternity, was only a matter of a few minutes and all was quiet except for loud shouts of men in his unit. Fortunately, everyone survived and were OK, except for some minor injuries and wounds. The engagement was a typical harassment attack by the enemy.

At the risk of being too graphic, I have purposely chosen to start this Veterans Day tribute with a historical and real event. All too often we take Veterans Day as just another holiday and don’t give it a second thought. Unless a person has experienced real combat, the movies we watch and the books we read, all too often tend to glorify war and armed conflicts, when in reality, at best, war is hell! Serving in Vietnam as an armored platoon leader, brought the reality and horrors of war home for me. It is my opinion, but in war there is no glory…only death, destruction and sadness. From the evening my flight left Omaha in a snowstorm, my Fathers hand tightly holding on to mine, the fear in his eyes, wondering if this was the last time he would see his son…sleeping on top of .50 caliber ammo containers…sweating during the day and chilled at night…bathing in a muddy stream…eating from cans and drinking warm water that tasted of iodine…soaked by monsoon rains, wondering what insect just bit you or what made the strange noise in the pitch black darkness of night…wondering what was happening back home and worst of all, praying that you make it through your next mission. Seeing real poverty and despair in the eyes of people and the ugly scars that war leaves on children. Hearing the word “incoming”, followed by explosions and fire from automatic weapons…giving aid to a wounded brother, feeling anger for his fate, yet glad it was not you. Waiting for the air strike or artillery support that you requested and hoping that you gave them the right coordinates. Firing you weapon without hesitation and seeing a dead enemy soldier, wondering if it was your weapon that killed him. Waiting for the Medevac dust-off to take the wounded out, hopefully in time. This was the real world, but more importantly, it continues to be a part of the daily lives of so many who have chosen to defend our freedoms and that of others. Veterans and their families can relate and truly understand what it is like to be involved in such a tragic event. As a Veteran, I have had the honor and privilege of meeting and working with other Veterans, listening to their stories and seeing their disabilities. I have laughed with them and cried as the memories are deeply entrenched and forever in their minds. I believe that it is our solemn duty and obligation to remember those who have fallen in battle as well as those who have worn and continue to wear the uniform and stand watch over us and the freedoms we enjoy. I am and always have been proud to be an American…to have served my country under the Stars and Stripes of Old Glory. My Father was buried with that very flag draped over his coffin as were five friends of mine. We went to the Officers Academy and to Vietnam together, but I was the only one who came home. As I watch and read about the various protests in this country, I cannot help but wonder why the flag of our country is involved. I respect the right to protest in an organized, civilized and peaceful manner; however, violence, destruction and injury never will be the answer. The American Flag stands for the right and very freedom that allows for peaceful protest, but more importantly than that, from the time of its creation in 1776, to its current design, it has stood for the sacrifice that so very many have made to establish and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. Throughout the world, there are graves and monuments etched forever in stone that pay silent tribute to those who fought and died under that Flag. Having fought in a war and watched men die so that we and others can have the freedoms we have, gives me a special sense of pride, honor and respect.

One final thing…regardless of your religious or political convictions, I share the following prayer that was sent to me a very long time ago: “Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with brave men and women who are willing to defend our freedom. May your presence and grace surround them each day. Let your healing hand be upon those who suffer wounds and injuries. May those who have made the ultimate sacrifice rest forever in your Holy presence. Comfort the families who mourn and are left to remember the precious lives of their loved ones. Help us to honor and support them. Let us be ever mindful of each sacrifice made on behalf of this country and American people by our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and friends. “

Please join me on this Veterans Day to thank all our men and women who wear or have worn the uniform and remember those who have gone on to eternal glory.

With Utmost Respect…

Ron O’Herron
1st Armored Cavalry-BlackHawks-Vietnam 68-69