A gentlemen I had the pleasure of meeting sent this on my website: Tim, I am a Vietnam Veteran, you stayed at my house in Delaware one year after rolling thunder. I have attended about 12 Rolling Thunders Starting in 2001. As a Vietnam Vet Rolling Thunder has been a big part of the healing process for me. I was so glad to meet you and I am proud fo what you do at Rolling Thunder. My desire have been that someone from each branch of the armed forces would stand with you. Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, Air Force and National Guard. We all fought and died in Vietnam, WW II, WW I, Korea, Iraqi & Afghanistan. So when some one claming to be part of your organization called my home and said that a friend of mine n the National Guard who stood with you last year was not welcome to stand at Rolling Thunder and slaute I was deeply offended.. This young man is not trying to take your place but was inspired by you to join you in thanking Veterans for their service. Is that not why you do it. I I could I would join you, so why turn some one away that you inspired? MY RESPONSE: Obviously the communication has been taken out of context. The message of this young man not being welcomed was not the point that was to be conveyed. I would not have the heart to tell someone not to come and follow my lead because as a leader it is the highest honor when someone follows you. The thought to have one person of each branch representing saluting is a novel one. What makes anyone think each branch should have to fall in the active duty element has a job to do and they are over gunned and under manned as is. What I created has nothing to do with anyone or anything else. It is a simple gesture of dignity to the Vets and Patriots riding for our POW/MIAs the route is long enough to spread any volunteers out so that each one has its own moment in time with each rider and gives them something individually. I do not need to apologize to you for being deeply offended because you brought that upon yourself. If I never stepped off the curb no one would of. No one would of though to do what I did. We would not even have this conversation. The active duty is doing their job, we cannot and should not expect anything more from them. It is sad the brass report the active duty can be paid less and have less benefits to the elected officials. Generals do not live paycheck to paycheck and have forgotten the hardships of military families making less than minimum wage. My 10 seconds with each participant is a very sacred thing and it is my heart displaying my compassion and respect for them. This is not a celebration, it is not a parade, there is nothing that makes me happy to have to stand to attempt to make a 50 year wrong a right. We had the warriors spaced out further down the line, no one needs to stand in my sight of view and take away from what I am trying to do in that slight moment in life that 10 to 15 seconds of a chance meeting......................
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 17:59:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015