By Charlie Adcock, F311374
FMCA National President
May 2015
FMCA National President
May 2015
Hello, My Fellow FMCA Family:
It did not take me very long to decide what to write about this month. Since we observe Memorial Day here in the United States in May, it seemed appropriate to write about veterans.
As many of you know, I am retired from the U.S. Air Force, with 21 years of active military service, and I am a Vietnam veteran. One of the privileges of being retired military is that I can stay in any military campground. Gloria and I recently spent a month at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, the home of the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds make up the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Team. We had our own personal Thunderbirds exhibition as they practiced their aerial maneuvers over the campground. I now feel like I’ve had my military fix for this month.
During the month of May, I want to remember all of our veterans, and I would like to start with those from World War II. Many of you will relate to my story. Growing up, I had a great-uncle (my mother’s uncle) who served in WWII and saw a lot of combat. I watched as Uncle Dillard would be admitted to the mental hospital located in Pineville, Louisiana. During those times in the hospital, he would be given shock treatments. At that time no one was aware of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but now I feel sure that is what was wrong with him. He lived a slow, painful life, as did many of those veterans who returned from that conflict with major physical and mental disabilities. What great sacrifices they made to ensure all of our futures as free citizens.
Fortunately, we now have a better understanding of the effects of combat and have made great strides in providing needed care for returning veterans. On the other hand, we still struggle as a society to meet all their needs, and this is showing up as a very high rate of suicide among our veterans. Reports indicate we are losing an average of 18 to 22 veterans to suicide each day.
From reading history books and watching documentaries of World War II, I know we were fighting on two fronts at the same time — Italy and Nazi Germany in Europe, and Japan in the Pacific. Victory finally came in Europe in May 1945 and in Asia three months later, in August 1945. According to Wikipedia.com, we lost 291,557 U.S. military soldiers killed in action, and many more hundreds of thousands were wounded. As we know, World War II was the most deadly and destructive conflict in human history. And the veterans remaining alive from that conflict are quickly leaving us.
The next war during which we sent troops into harm’s way was the Korean War. North Korea and South Korea were divided at the 38th parallel, with the Communist North trying to force their system on the South. During this war, 16 countries sent military forces to aid South Korea, and the United States supplied about 90 percent of these troops. Here are several facts about that war: it was the first war with battles between jet aircraft; the United States spent around $67 billion on the war, and according to Wikipedia.com, 33,686 U.S. soldiers lost their lives; as of June 2014, more than 7,500 American soldiers remain unaccounted for; the truce talks lasted two years and 17 days and, to date, there has never been a peace treaty signed.
Of course, the next war was the one that created the most turmoil at home. We have a lot of bad memories, Kent State being one of the worst.
Many statistics related to the Vietnam War have been compiled. One of them is that 9.7 percent of my generation are Vietnam vets. A total of 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 — May 7, 1975). Hostile and non-hostile deaths totaled 58,220. Eight nurses died, and one of these was killed in action. Approximately 61 percent of the men killed were 21 years of age or younger.
There were 766 U.S. POWs taken during the Vietnam War, and 114 died in captivity. According to recent U.S. Department of Defense statistics, we still have 1,629 missing in action. Amputation or crippling wounds to the lower extremities were 300 percent higher in Vietnam than they were in WWII and 70 percent higher than in Korea.
Last summer I read an article in a local paper that stated that we have lost more veterans to the effects of Agent Orange since the end of the Vietnam War than were killed during that era.
One of the most disturbing things to happen to returning soldiers was the way we were greeted when we came home. A segment of society did not agree with the politics of the war and took it out on our returning soldiers. Fortunately, most of our society has gotten beyond this, realizing the unfairness of that attitude and those actions, and many now go out of their way to recognize and support our returning troops as the heroes they are.
In August of 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and that was the beginning of what is still going on today. Operation Desert Storm began in January 1991, and this was followed by a cease-fire in February 1991. In March 2003, the United States began military action against Iraq. Much could be written about the “War on Terror.” The one fact I am sure of is this war that continues today has transitioned many times, and today we are fighting ISIS. I’ve said many times that I think this probably is the worst enemy we have ever faced. How do you combat an enemy who places no value on life and who is willing to give up his or her own life just to take one of us out?
I am so proud of our young men and women who are serving our country today. So, during the month of May, and especially on May 25 (Memorial Day in the United States), I want everyone to seek out a veteran. The United States currently has 21.9 million veterans. Find at least one of them and thank them for their service. And please remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, so we can continue to enjoy our freedom.
This article has focused on the United States because of the holiday this month. But I would be remiss if I did not recognize all of the Canadian veterans who served alongside us during these conflicts. The provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador do commemorate Memorial Day on July 1 each year, and Canada as a whole celebrates Remembrance Day in November. Of course, any day is a good day to honor and to thank our veterans for their service.
And, although this article has been devoted to recognizing our military heroes, I also want to include our thanks and recognition to all the other heroes who serve so unselfishly here at home. Our police officers, fire fighters, first responders, and others who provide emergency assistance, often at great personal risk, have earned our respect and gratitude. Who can ever forget the sacrifices made during the 9-11 attack?
This has really been a tough article for me to write. It has caused me to reflect back on some dear friends who gave it all. I am sure many, if not all, of you can relate to that. There is not one of us who hasn’t been touched by all the wars and conflicts that our countries have been involved in.
Time for me to close. I hope to see you at a rally soon, and I am reminded again how blessed I am to be able to say, “Remember, it’s all about having fun!” (Thanks to our heroes!)