Far from ordinary

For the vast majority of our fellow citizens in La Mesa, California, it was most probably an ordinary, average Thursday.  Nothing memorable.  Simply routine.  However, for one family, the day was traumatic, as they laid to rest their husband, father, grandfather.

At the funeral home, the family was joined by volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), who came to honor and pay their respects to a veteran, "standing for those who stood for us."

Some of the PGR went ahead to the Miramar National Cemetery, preparing to honor the arrival of their fellow veteran by standing a flag line.  Others escorted the procession as it made its way to the cemetery, American flag flying from some of the motorcycles.

At the committal shelter the volunteers, mostly veterans, formed another flag line to honor their brother.

  
This they did in supporting the family and (in this case) the Navy Honor Guard.

Not one of the PGR volunteers was acquainted with the veteran they were honoring this day.  There were no connections; no links to serving on the same ship at the same time.  The only shared experience was having served our great nation.

Indeed, it was not a ordinary, routine, or average day for the family.  Nor was it an ordinary, routine, or average day for the PGR members.  In fact, for this Patriot Guard Rider it was far from it.  How can one not be touched by the raw, gut wrenching emotion displayed by a grandson?  Hearing his anguished sobs and seeing the obvious pain.  The tears of the family members, with their voices catching during comments about their loved one touched us all.

No, it was not an ordinary, average, or routine day.

It was an important day, as strangers voluntarily came together to honor a fellow veteran.  As they do countless times during the year.  The race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural, and other socially prominent identifiers used by all too many to separate us matter not to the PGR.  The only identifier that matters is that one who is or has served honorably was being laid to rest.

Tomorrow there will be another mission, with another following on Tuesday.  And another, then another, and another.

No routine, average, or ordinary days.   

One picture

This one picture speaks to the bond of Marine Corps camaraderie.

Semper Fidelis

Lest we forget

Lest we forget.

 

Colonel Charles Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps (Retired) remembered

Five years ago this week, Colonel Charles Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps (Retired) was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Known by his nickname "Doc" and callsign "Buzzard," he was a Marine's Marine.  One of a few who earned both Combat Aircrew Wings as an enlisted Marine while fighting in Vietnam and Naval Aviator Wings subsequent to commissioning after earning his degree at Texas A&M (go Aggies!).

Doc was indeed a Marine's Marine and it was my great privilege to have served with him.  More importantly, it is my great honor to call him friend and mentor.

Raised in Texas, he played football and was known to get into a scuffle or two as a young 'un.  He was also known for his honor, integrity, courage, commitment, and relentless patriotism.  Rarely was there a Marine more suited to wear the uniform than Doc.

I remember the laughs and serious times we spent together, including getting lost on an LHA during a port visit, his incessant snoring those nights in Korea, his keen and somber advice to young Marines (officer and enlisted), sharing a beer at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, and standing shoulder to shoulder, in the face of opposition, for what was right.  

Even after our respective retirements, we remained in close contact, including the annual telephone calls each November 10.  During our last call, we moaned and groaned about not being able to get into the fight with our brother Marines in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Later on that gray day he was laid to rest in Arlington, I went solo to the Marine Corps Memorial.

Finding a quiet bench under one the trees, I sat, thought about Doc, shed some tears, and attempted to come to closure with his passing.  Now five years later, I still hear the sound of his Texan drawl in the air.  I still see his stern glare, but behind it the smile of a friend. And every remembered sight and sound is of that simply outstanding Marine.

Doc, rest in peace, brother.

Semper Fidelis 

   

Veterans Day 2015

In a few weeks, Veterans Day 2015 will be upon us, and there is a real lesson to be learned.  

Across the nation, many will rightly acknowledge the day.  Some businesses will offer a one day special for our nation's veterans.  Some towns and cities will hold parades.  Old graybeards may stand a little straighter and prouder.  Some schools will invite veterans into their classrooms.  Comrades from decades past will reach out to one another, confirming life long bonds.  Scrapbooks and memorabilia may be pulled from the backs of closets.  Some local newspapers will likely run stories about the heroes living among us.  Even some elected officials will carve time from their "busy" schedules to recognize the date.

POTUS will likely do something, though not genuinely in my mind.  Genuine recognition of the day will be accomplished by other elected officials, like fellow veterans Congressman Hunter and Senator Cotton.

It is also likely those seeking office will ensure some "appropriate" activity is on their calendar that day.  Again, for some (like Clinton) it will be a chore to endure as part of a run for office.  Had Webb remained in the contest, it would definitely not be a chore, but an obligation to his fellow vets.

The perception that veterans are those grizzled old timers, gray of beard and long of years, is slowly giving way to the "twenty and thirty something" young warriors from our most recent wars.

Regardless of age, branch of service, or time served, there is one immutable fact about our veterans.  Every generation has answered the call.  Every generation has stood tall when the nation asked of it.  Every generation has sacrificed for this country.

The one unfortunate fact, however, is that the percentage of our population that serves this great country is growing smaller, year by year, with less than one-half of one percent of the nation currently serving in uniform.  That means, most regrettably, that the vast majority of the nation are less and less connected with the veterans who have served them.

That is the real lesson for Veterans Day 2015