From those left behind....
The reunion of the Ia Drang Veteran's Reunion is held every year on Veteran's Day in Washington D.C. The Veteran's not only includes the battle tested men of that conflict, but also the families of the survivors and those tragically lost all those years ago in 1965. The long years have not washed away the loving memories and the pain. One of the families I have had the privelage to meet is that of Sgt. Jack Gell who was killed in action at LZ Xray. Sgt. Gell's daughter, Carol Gell Crowley, sent me this poignant and timely story yesterday................
"I flew my three youngest children to New Orleans in mid August to visit some family and friends in Slidell. Upon arriving to the airport, we were coming through the security area. I observed a rather large group with a FOX camera right outside that area. Looking at the "Welcome Home " signs, and matching red Marine T Shirts, and seeing the excitement bursting from each one of them, I quickly realized they were awaiting their own Marine's return from Iraq. I asked my children to stand beside me, and told them to watch what was happening. I told them a young man was coming home from war. I stood silently as I heard the happy chatter and anticipation.....I thought of my friend Johnny Privette and knew he had been through this recently when his own son came home. Emotions were soaring and the thrill of a homecoming was powerful.
"There he is! There he is!" I heard...The Fox news camera man swirled his camera back and forth from family to the exiting passengers...I stood right with them, and felt almost like a part of their unit. My heart beat faster as I smiled, beaming with pride for a young man I did not know, for his great service to our country. My throat began to ache and tears formed in my eyes, but I stood fast and smiled just the same. His wife and father could no longer stand back and ran to him as his foot stepped out of the secure area. They cried and smiled, and hugged, and kissed. My ears burned and my face felt the hot tears swelling in my eyes.
I just stood there. My feet were implanted firmly and my body could not move. I realized my 7 year old daughter was pulling on my shirt. I looked down at her to see she a concerned little face.The boys were ready to go on. "Mommy, why are you crying?" she asked me in her sweet caring voice.
I smiled and hugged her tight and whispered in her ear, "Because he just came home to his family." She hugged me back and said, "Are you sad because your daddy didn't come home?"
Her small and tender voice hit me like a bolt of lightening. My heart raced, my blood rushed into my head, reality flooded my insides. The tears became bigger, now streaming down my cheek pushing against my eyes from behind. In a barely audible voice, I managed to whisper, "...I am, honey...but I am just happy for these people."
My heart ached for something that could never be... If only my Mom could have been so blessed to have had the experience of a homecoming like this. Unfortunately, hers was tragic and painful, in the form of a telegram delivered and left alone with her grief and three small kids. My heart ached for her in a way that hurt beyond words.
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind within mere seconds. I thought of my sister and brother. I thought of Veterans I have met who knew my father, the great men that I see as Heros from the Ia Drang Battle in Vietnam... wondering how they must feel about this war. I thought of my Dad's sisters and close family friends. I closed my eyes and saw images of the War clips where the Walter Cronkite bulletin aired my young mother reading my Dad's letter, her sad face missing him. A lifetime of thoughts and memories raced through my head....Almost like what you may feel before you die.......
As if a flash came over me, I whispered "My God....." and sensed an overwhelming presence with me that eased my yearning and racing mind. I opened my eyes and was suddenly comforted, and thankful for so much. God was there. God is always there. I wiped my eyes and regrouped.
I took my daughters hand and gathered my bags, glancing at the family who swarmed so close to this very fortunate hero. Tears and smiles were hard at work! The marines eyes briefly met mine as he lifted his neck from one of his welcomers. A fleeting glimpse of concern and wonder came across his face. He surely wondered who I was and why I was there, with tears in my eyes. He glanced around as if to see that I may be waiting too? That still instant of my life was surreal. I put my arm around my son, and walked away, refocusing on the direction of meeting my party at baggage claim. I did not look back, but the image was engraved in my head. I explained to my kids how great it was for us to have seen such a joyous event. They listened, but I am certain they are to young to grasp the emotions in their deserving form.
I wonder today what that young Marine thought about me, there with his family and friends, standing with my own children. Perhaps he didn't think twice about it. Perhaps he just knows that one more person appreciates his service. Whatever it is, I feel like there is a reason that I was there at that very moment. I am all the more reminded to appreciate life, Freedom, Veterans who have served, and those who now serve and protect the greatest Nation on earth. I am the proud daughter of a Vet who died for us all. His memory and honor is with me always.
I am continually disappointed to see so called "Americans" who do not respect or appreciate these sacrifices and try to rob us of freedoms and rights that our very Country was founded on. Shame on them.... To that I end: Let us not tolerate those who disrespect the red, white, and blue... and AS ALWAYS..."GOD BLESS AMERICA"
The reunion of the Ia Drang Veteran's Reunion is held every year on Veteran's Day in Washington D.C. The Veteran's not only includes the battle tested men of that conflict, but also the families of the survivors and those tragically lost all those years ago in 1965. The long years have not washed away the loving memories and the pain. One of the families I have had the privelage to meet is that of Sgt. Jack Gell who was killed in action at LZ Xray. Sgt. Gell's daughter, Carol Gell Crowley, sent me this poignant and timely story yesterday................
"I flew my three youngest children to New Orleans in mid August to visit some family and friends in Slidell. Upon arriving to the airport, we were coming through the security area. I observed a rather large group with a FOX camera right outside that area. Looking at the "Welcome Home " signs, and matching red Marine T Shirts, and seeing the excitement bursting from each one of them, I quickly realized they were awaiting their own Marine's return from Iraq. I asked my children to stand beside me, and told them to watch what was happening. I told them a young man was coming home from war. I stood silently as I heard the happy chatter and anticipation.....I thought of my friend Johnny Privette and knew he had been through this recently when his own son came home. Emotions were soaring and the thrill of a homecoming was powerful.
"There he is! There he is!" I heard...The Fox news camera man swirled his camera back and forth from family to the exiting passengers...I stood right with them, and felt almost like a part of their unit. My heart beat faster as I smiled, beaming with pride for a young man I did not know, for his great service to our country. My throat began to ache and tears formed in my eyes, but I stood fast and smiled just the same. His wife and father could no longer stand back and ran to him as his foot stepped out of the secure area. They cried and smiled, and hugged, and kissed. My ears burned and my face felt the hot tears swelling in my eyes.
I just stood there. My feet were implanted firmly and my body could not move. I realized my 7 year old daughter was pulling on my shirt. I looked down at her to see she a concerned little face.The boys were ready to go on. "Mommy, why are you crying?" she asked me in her sweet caring voice.
I smiled and hugged her tight and whispered in her ear, "Because he just came home to his family." She hugged me back and said, "Are you sad because your daddy didn't come home?"
Her small and tender voice hit me like a bolt of lightening. My heart raced, my blood rushed into my head, reality flooded my insides. The tears became bigger, now streaming down my cheek pushing against my eyes from behind. In a barely audible voice, I managed to whisper, "...I am, honey...but I am just happy for these people."
My heart ached for something that could never be... If only my Mom could have been so blessed to have had the experience of a homecoming like this. Unfortunately, hers was tragic and painful, in the form of a telegram delivered and left alone with her grief and three small kids. My heart ached for her in a way that hurt beyond words.
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind within mere seconds. I thought of my sister and brother. I thought of Veterans I have met who knew my father, the great men that I see as Heros from the Ia Drang Battle in Vietnam... wondering how they must feel about this war. I thought of my Dad's sisters and close family friends. I closed my eyes and saw images of the War clips where the Walter Cronkite bulletin aired my young mother reading my Dad's letter, her sad face missing him. A lifetime of thoughts and memories raced through my head....Almost like what you may feel before you die.......
As if a flash came over me, I whispered "My God....." and sensed an overwhelming presence with me that eased my yearning and racing mind. I opened my eyes and was suddenly comforted, and thankful for so much. God was there. God is always there. I wiped my eyes and regrouped.
I took my daughters hand and gathered my bags, glancing at the family who swarmed so close to this very fortunate hero. Tears and smiles were hard at work! The marines eyes briefly met mine as he lifted his neck from one of his welcomers. A fleeting glimpse of concern and wonder came across his face. He surely wondered who I was and why I was there, with tears in my eyes. He glanced around as if to see that I may be waiting too? That still instant of my life was surreal. I put my arm around my son, and walked away, refocusing on the direction of meeting my party at baggage claim. I did not look back, but the image was engraved in my head. I explained to my kids how great it was for us to have seen such a joyous event. They listened, but I am certain they are to young to grasp the emotions in their deserving form.
I wonder today what that young Marine thought about me, there with his family and friends, standing with my own children. Perhaps he didn't think twice about it. Perhaps he just knows that one more person appreciates his service. Whatever it is, I feel like there is a reason that I was there at that very moment. I am all the more reminded to appreciate life, Freedom, Veterans who have served, and those who now serve and protect the greatest Nation on earth. I am the proud daughter of a Vet who died for us all. His memory and honor is with me always.
I am continually disappointed to see so called "Americans" who do not respect or appreciate these sacrifices and try to rob us of freedoms and rights that our very Country was founded on. Shame on them.... To that I end: Let us not tolerate those who disrespect the red, white, and blue... and AS ALWAYS..."GOD BLESS AMERICA"
