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| A THIRD CLASS VETERAN 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As a Chaplain I've attended as many wakes and funerals as I can to honor my fellow Vietnam Veterans as I do other Veterans. I fly my flag at the memorial at half staff on the day of the funeral to honor their passing. I then send the family a certificate showing that I've honored their loved one for being a fellow Vietnam Veteran. I wonder why about only 20% let me know that they received it OK? The services I do get to go to I find that even in death, little is said about them being a Vietnam Veteran or if any is said, it's always " They were a Veteran of an unpopular war" | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I am fully aware that the Veterans family has the right not have them honored as a Veteran. I have one question to all my fellow living Vietnam Veterans. As a Veteran of eight major combat operations and many day and night patrols. " What the heck is a popular War, did the bullets kill faster or did the hot fragments that entered their skin cause more damage?" I know for a fact that the Marine right in front of me who stepped on a land mine was just as dead when we put him on a chopper as any one from a popular war! | |||||||||||||||||||||
| I've gone to a few funerals only to feel out of place. I recently went to one like that and as I was ready to go to the reception to present the widow with the certificate it started to rain and as a motorcycle rider {note they make lousy convertibles } I had to just hand the widow the envelope say a few words and head for home. I think God was telling me something. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| So when I am at another service remember I am proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and I am also proud of you for serving with me. Please don't let them forget that even in our deaths it matters to some one. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| God bless you | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chaplain Howard Flexer | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam War Veterans | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Flagstaff and Memorial | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Danielson, Conn. 06239-1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| August 11,1997 | |||||||||||||||||||||