Opinion

Thanks for telling my story

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Dear Editor:

A special thanks to Naomi Foreman for a job well done. Neoma wrote an araticle for the Nevada Daily Mail telling of some of my Vietnam experiences. The resonse has been very heart warming and touching.

One family wrote that they had several friends who had lost son's in Vietnam and yet today their saddness is still there and they were glad to hear of someone who was able to get their life back together.

I also received lots of calls from friends and relatives. One very special response was from Retired Marine Corp Col. Barney Fisher, 125th Dist. Representative. A laminated copy of the article was sent to me with the State Seal, very nice.

I would like to point out every veteran has a story of his or her own and I'm glad to see a trend towards recognizing those individuals.

Once you are in the armed services, which ever branch, your life takes a change. You will be pushed harder and faster than you ever thought possible. You will learn more about yourself and your fellow man.

A combat zone takes all you have learned about discipline and sacrifice, self control and contitioning to a new level. I feel most vets have a little different outlook on life and a combat vet has an even different appreciation of life and freedom.

A good friend once said we ought to do something special for our vets. My answer was "you want to do something for a vet that will make them proud and that the sacrifice was worth the cost. Do your part, be a good American."

Neoma has written other articles on vets and has an ongoing search for vets from all branches of service and wars. Her articles are alwas very interesting and tell a side of history and sacrifice many would never know if these stories weren't told!

Talk about doing your part. Thanks, again to Neoma Foreman, a good American.

Sgt. Gary Vickers

1st Cav D-2-12 68-69

Harwood Mo. 64750