One of the Reasons I Serve

Thank You, Dad

Published on November 11, 2004 By chiprj In Current Events

I just got home from setting flags on the graves at the base cemetery. When I turned on the computer, I found an email from my dad. He forwarded me the link to a story about himself and his four brothers. All five served during the Vietnam War. And all five made it home. Pretty damn amazing.

Belpre brothers all served in Vietnam

I ask you to take a few minutes and read the article. This is a story about my dad, my uncles, my family. As a child, I knew very little about my dad's service. Growing up, it was something I vaguely knew. No specifics. When I was about 19 or so, I was at one of the reunions where the brothers talked shortly about some of the good times they shared in the service and Vietnam. Some of them met by chance while in country and we able to share some spare time together. My grandmother told me later that evening that it was the first time she'd ever heard them go into any kind of details of their time in Vietnam. I truly felt special for having been there to hear that little bit. My uncle, who was still in the Marine Corps at the time, tried to talk me into joining that weekend. I remember telling him "no how, no way".

I joined the Army two years later. I won't try to BS you into thinking I had overwhelming notions of a family calling or anything like that. But that was part of my decision. Since then, I've been back to visit my dad (not as often as I should) and I've heard more stories. I've even shared some of my own. I don't have anything really that compares to Vietnam, but one thing I've learned as a Soldier is the common bond you have with people through common or similar circumstances.

My first duty station after training was the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. I found out a short time after getting there, that after leaving Vietnam, my dad spent some time assigned to the same division. I've since been stationed at the 25th ID a second time and I honestly do feel the bonds of family there - even if only in my own head and heart.

So, on this Veteran's Day, I am finding myself not only reflecting on the gravesites where I placed small flags this morning. Not just on the veterans that have served our country for over 200 years. But also, I find myself reflecting on my own family.

I salute you dad. I salute you D-dad (as a child I called my Uncle Frank that). I salute you Uncle Steve. I salute you Uncle John. I salute you Uncle Dave.

I also want to salute my uncles on my mother's side. They all served, too. I salute you Uncle Lou. I salute you Uncle Jim. I salute you Uncle Joe.

And I thank God that you all made it home.

Comments

Angloesque

on Nov 11, 2004

Thanks for writing this, Chiprj. I just watched our little town's parade coming down Main Street, and from a town the size of 8,000 we have one WWI, one WWII, and several from Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf I.

Thanks to you all.

-A.

oleteach

on Nov 12, 2004

Thanks chiprj, I read it all. Your uncles were filled with patriotism and courage. I remember when my four brothers all went off to WWII. When they all returned, they would not talk about their experiences either. Only my brother, Don, had pictures he took while he was a medic's aid. They showed mass graves of slaughtered Jews. His corps was responsible for the counting of bodies and the reburial rites. The pictures were cruesome. My mom's hair turned grey during the time my brothers were gone.

lifehappens

on Nov 14, 2004

Thanks for sharing this Chiprj. I read the linked article too. Once again, I am profoundly grateful for those who have served....Thank you to YOU too.

Different Hanja

on Nov 15, 2004

Great post, Bro! That was an interesting little bit of chiplore I was unfamiliar with... and I thought I'd heard alllll of your stories. Which one is your father?

chiprj

on Nov 15, 2004

Thanks to everyone for their time and comments.

Which one is your father?

My dad is Bud. Neither of us use William outside of official things.

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