Two Score Years Ago
by Sgt. Barry E. Prowell USA Ret.

I think I saw men at their best and worst. The best, to me, will always be those I served with in combat. There are hundreds of adjectives I could use to describe them and the words all seem inadequate however one trait always comes to the front of my mind and that is Selflessness. Everyone was so concerned about everyone else that not even their own lives were important. You have everyone's back and they all have yours. Total commitment and dedication to those around you. I don't think I've experienced it since nor will again.

Forty years ago the category of "worst" would go to those who ran off to Canada rather than serve their country. I once considered those individuals traitors, spineless, cowards, yellow to the core and worth something lower than pond scum. However, forty years has mellowed me and the Lord has had more time to work on my heart so now I only consider them traitors, spineless, cowards, yellow to the core and worth something equal to pond scum.

I remember being hated and ridiculed for serving in Nam, mostly by Hippies. You remember Hippies. They gave us free love, do your own thing and the drug culture. Now one in every two marriages fail and every parent’s nightmare is finding drugs in their kids room. Been there, done that. Young lives lost and ruined by drugs. Hell of a legacy they left us. I hope they are proud.

Forty years ago:

• I never thought I’d see the day when people would question my right to own a gun.
• I never thought I’d see the day when I have to get over the company property line to have a chew or a smoke.
• I never thought I’d see the day when crosses, Christmas trees and manger scenes were banned from government property.
• I never thought I’d see the day AGAIN when politicians were allowed to run a war rather than the military.
• I never thought I’d see the day when God wasn’t allowed in public schools.
• I never thought we would even need a constitutional amendment to prevent people from desecrating the flag. Rest assured though, with or without a law, anyone trying to do so in my presence will have to get to it over my dead body.

For forty years I’ve never needed Memorial Day because, to me, every day is Memorial Day. I am ever thankful for those who “laid such a great sacrifice upon the alter of freedom.”

Knowing the cost, would I do it again? Absolutely because it was the right thing to do.