Dear
Editor,
We’re
totally blown away! I was recruited to attend the Collier-Lee County Honor
Flight Dinner Saturday at RSW.
We’re
writing this Sunday evening, and are still speechless! I have always loved my
country. I was born just before Pearl Harbor in a tiny Iowa village where
everyone supported the war. At age five, I collected milkweed pods to help with
inflating lifejackets. I stomped tin cans so its recycling could help the war
effort. All four of my uncles and my only aunt served, so it seemed natural
that I enlist in the United States Navy. For many years my best friend was
Staff Sergeant “Big John” who served two tours of duty in Nam with the USMC
Fifth Counter Intelligence Team. When we who served in the Vietnam era came
home we wondered if the nation loved us as much as we loved it. Leftist
political activists shamed and even spit on the returning vets.
The
huge crowd assembled at RSW gave us all the emotional reinforcement necessary
to know that, yes indeed, many people love us as much as we love America.
Throngs
of military personnel stood at attention and saluted as the honored veterans
paraded by. Hundreds of patriots, organizations, even children clapped,
cheered, shook our hands, waved flags and banners, handing out flowers and
homemade thank you cards. One young girl gave me a high five! I’ve never heard
the words “thank you for your service” and “welcome home” so many
times in my post-military life.
Samuel
Orrin Sewell, LT “jg”
United
States Navy
Naples,
Florida
239
591 4565
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