Salute to our comrades in arms
Reminiscent of some World War II movies, I have memories of my friends in battle. Remember at the end of the movies when the faces of the men who died streamed across the screen? Well, not a day goes by that I don't have the same movie scene portraying my battle buddies. Ask Air Force veteran Dusty Rhoads about Vietnam, or Marines Rob Rohrscheib and Ray Garland about Iwo Jima, and be amazed at their experience. I am sure that they, too, have faces streaming in their memories in remembrance of their fallen comrades.
In January funeral services were held for two American Legion Post 14 members, and my friend Larry Scott. At each service we were welcomed by their grieving families, just as if we were blood relatives. They accept us with friendly admiration for knowing their loved one, and know the importance of our close relationship with them. In sad times like these, comradeship of veterans brings families together. Those who serve have the privilege of knowing this closeness, and is perhaps unique in military service. After all, our common bond is that we all signed a blank check for our lives when we took the oath of enlistment.
Larry died from cancer caused from exposure to Agent Orange. He was a "Screamin' Eagle" in our 101st Airborne Division and ran missions in Viet Nam's DMZ in 1971. Diagnosed with cancer years ago, he began a new battle for his life, vowing that he was proud to give his life for his country. One of the bravest men I have ever known. Only knowing him a short time, it became clear that we were "Comrades in Arms". We met at the Texas Road House for the veterans lunch. I saw his Screaming Eagle patch on his jacket and commented that he jumped out of perfectly good airplanes (being an old infantry grunt, I am happy to stay on the ground) and we were instantly friends.
Navy veterans of Post 14 Chaplain Richard Baker and Finance Officer John Edgerton were laid to rest on a cold, drizzly Friday in January. At Richard's graveside service, the rifle salute and Taps gave him his final farewell, while his family quietly watched and listened to time honored traditions of a military funeral. John was honored by his family at his memorial service at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene. His family welcomed all friends and relatives to come join them to celebrate their father's life. At both services, we were welcomed by their families as comrades of their loved ones.
The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and many other veterans organization give the opportunity for us to remain active in military affairs. We are still serving. And the war stories. Don't get me started. Brave men from our great Navy portraying adventures larger than fiction. Army and Marines staging battle scenes. Air Force veterans telling of horrific tragedies. The Coast Guard patrolling our shores with drug intervention scenarios livelier than Miami Vice. Yes, those of us still serving are members of one of the biggest organizations on earth: The United States Military. And we are proud to be "Comrades in Arms."
Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens.