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A FITTING TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN BROTHERS
(Although, this tribute is written from one Aviator
to another, it epitomizes the brotherhood shared by
us all, those who have shared part their lives with
their fallen comrades)
As the remains of Jon Eric Reid who served with the
48th AHC Joker Guns and was MIA on 2-20-71, and buried
at Arlington National Cemetery, 0845, 14 Jan 2000.
VHPA member Rick Lester, Joker 94, read the following
words at the funeral. "Through the fog of controversy
which surrounded our country's involvement in Vietnam,
some may ask 'Why', but let no one question the intentions
of these honorable men. There are so many good things
we can say about them. In the finest traditions of
our great country, they answered their call and went
forth with only the best intentions. They did all
they were asked and, with their lives, showed their
commitment. What more could their country or
anyone ask? There has never been a 'good' war and
there never will be.
The cost of war is great, and it will strip the men
of their youth. It also has a way of bringing out
the best in men. War strips men to their most basic
moral standards, facades are quickly torn away and
you are judged as your true self, good or bad. Those
of us who knew these men saw them in that light and
can tell you they were truly dedicated, strong and
courageous.
Those of us who served with them also came to know
their heart. In the quiet times, we heard of their
love for their families, shared their laughs and listened
to the stories of life before Vietnam. We found pleasure
in simple things like music, mail from home, hot chow,
cold beer, a periodic hot shower and time shared in
the 'club.' We grew close.
In the violence of that war, we also shared our fear
and frustration, endured physical pain and the bitter
pain of losing friends. We came to know indefinable
fatigue from seemingly endless hours of flying in
the most demanding conditions, yet if we weren't flying,
we were not happy.
Though, for the most part, we dealt with the confusion,
complexity, and violence of battle in our own way,
it was understood there was no shame in showing your
emotion, we were only human. We endured and became
better for it. We were sometimes hard on each other,
but it was with purpose, and we knew we could turn
to each other for anything. We grew closer.
We may have been sent in harm's way with a broken
sword, but we stood as one. Our shield was our pride
and the respect we had for each other and our duty
was to carry out the mission. We were in this thing
together and our strength would become our commitment
to each other and our unit. We learned a special trust
common only to those who have learned to hide their
fear and willingly place their lives at risk, not
just for 'the cause', but for those with whom they
served. That common theme was a bond of mutual respect
and unspoken love and friendship forged and tempered
through the trials of battle. You realized, once you
had fought for them that freedom and life are indeed
very special. You no longer took things for granted,
you noticed for the first time how really intense
and beautiful a sunrise can be and how nice it is
to once again feel the warmth of the sun on your face
after the monsoons had passed. You no longer 'said
prayers', you spoke with God. You now knew the fragility
of life and therefore, it became more intense.
Through all this, we quickly realized what an honor
it was to have known and served with men like these
and how truly blessed we are to have had them in our
lives.
We will remember them always and to our absent companions
now say, 'catch the wind good friends, take the lead
and soar to the warm light of God, and on your wing...keep
watch for us.''
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