Veteran's Day--A Personal Essay

Veteran's Day

"Thoughts"


My father was part of the "Greatest Generation" and fought in WWII. Based on his scrapbook, which he left me, he fought throughout Europe and in the "Battle of the Bulge, was wounded twice, and decorated with a Bronze Star for bravery on the battlefield. I also have his medals.

He never shared any stories of the war with me. I guess like others who had similar experiences, perhaps their stories were best pushed to the back of their memory so they could try to get on with a normal life. I have a void in my understanding of who he was because of that war, and the fact that he could not share the full story of his life experience with me.

I was born in 1942 when my dad was 19 and just entering the army. I have only vague memories of those early war years, and no memory of my father who was not there for the first 3-4 years of my life. I am now always saddened when I think of him as a 19 year old teenager being transported from a Minnesota farm by train to a ship and then to Europe to be thrust into such a violent and horrific experience at the beginning of his young adult life.

But, that is how he became a "veteran".

He got back from the war and I was no longer a baby, but a small boy! My understanding of the war remained limited as I grew up. My father was active with the local American Legion Chapter, and in a small town, it was the main social club for men. Most all the men of my father's age group were members, so it seemed to me that all the men in town were "veterans"!

I remember going to the club with my dad on Saturday sometimes, and listening to the Milwaukee Braves baseball game on the radio. I still remember some of the names, Lou Burdette, Eddie Matthews, and I think, Sal "The Barber" Maglie. In those days the Braves were in the world series on occasion. The Braves were "cool" and to a young boy, it was also cool to be a "veteran".

I remember when I was in high school, I played "American Legion" baseball in the summer. The American Legion was big on baseball and had a national baseball program for youth.

Because my dad was so active, I was also selected by the local chapter to attend "Boy's State". That was a national program to help teach youth about government. I remember that I got to go to a college and stay in a dorm, and participate in a week's activity of elections learning about our democratic system of government.
My roommate at Boy's state was the son of a TV personality who introduced afternoon matinee movies on a Minneapolis TV station. I was somewhat impressed, but I remember that he was messy, and never made his bed in the morning. Upon reflection, He probably thought it was weird that I made mine!

So my understanding of what being a veteran was all about was my connection through my father to his buddies in the American Legion. I tagged along, got a pat on the head, and some teasing, played baseball, went to Boy's State, and that was the level of appreciation I had for veterans.

Vietnam exploded when I was in college, and when I graduated, it was get drafted and be a G.I. army grunt or take all the tests for officer training and hope for the best. I was fortunate and got into Navy OCS in Newport R.I.. I did not make it to Vietnam. My toughest duty was in Kodiak, Alaska, and best duty was in Naples, Italy. I had it easy!
So, I am considered a "Veteran of the Vietnam Era". (As compared to a Vietnam War Combat Veteran" who actually got shot at). I am aware of who the "real" veterans are.

Regardless, I think my father was proud of my service as a Navy Officer. (He was a SSgt), although he never said so. All I remember was that he said he couldn't understand why I was getting out after four years, when I had such a great career opportunity as an officer. I guess there was always a gap of understanding between his generation with the great depression in his youth and WWII experience as a young adult, and mine which came to adulthood out of the 60's and Vietnam.

I got out of the Navy in 1969. I had spent three years away from the U.S. before there was the "www" and CNN and MTV. When I got back there were new expansion pro football teams I had never heard of! One of my college friends was the starting fullback for the L.A. Rams. What had I missed? When I stepped off the plane at JFK, I walked down the stairs and actually kissed the ground! My absence made me realize that there was no better place to be in the world than the good ole USA!

I remember visiting an American Legion Club after I had returned to Minnesota. I had a drink at the bar. But somehow, it wasn't the same. I didn't feel that I belonged there. It was my dad's place and I felt that it was rooted in WWII.

With the experience of military service, maturity, and reflection on history, I am very serious about honoring our country's flag as it passes in parade, and singing the national anthem with feeling and sometimes teary eyes. Veteran's Day, to me, is a day for thought. It is a day above all others, when I think of my dad and all his buddies who fought bloody battles in the middle of a fierce European winter, and put themselves in peril of loss of life and limb. It shaped their generation.

It is my dad's day of remembrance.

Mark Worden
Encinitas
Veteran's day
11/11/2005