Being a witness is very important. A witness in a criminal case can make all the difference in the world in the outcome of that case. Bearing your testimony is being a witness of a gospel principles or of Christ Himself. But I’ve learned that surviving a combat experience is leaving a witness of that experience. Those that did not survive combat need those who did survive to be their witness. My experience left me feeling guilty of being alive. At the end of the movie “Saving Private Ryan” an older Ryan asks questions of his wife. He first asks her to tell him he’s a good man. He asks her to tell him he lived a good life. He also talks to the grave of Captain Miller, the guy sent to find him. Captain Miller told him before he died to “Earn this!” meaning to earn the privilege of living. That is exactly what it feels like to survive a combat experience. Survivors guilt tells you that it should have been you who died. It makes you feel like scum for living. This is why Private Ryan wants to be assured he was a good man who lived a good life. It has been 35 years for me, and I still feel the pangs of guilt.
But lately I have felt the need to tell others about the guys who didn’t make it. To be their witness. Now it is awkward to just blurt out to someone “I want to tell you about the guys we lost in Panama!” So, I need to do this in a different way.
I met Jerrell “Quaker” Oatman in SERE school in 1984. He was a big black guy from Ohio. He was in the SP (security police). He and I would shoot together whenever we could, along with Ray Rittenhouse. He was not married but had a beautiful girlfriend, Savannah. She was stunning! She cared about and loved Quaker so very much and they were talking about marriage. Jerrell loved chili. He said they didn’t make chili in Ohio like they did in Texas. I saw Quaker physically move other brothers out of harm's way. He had great physical strength, but his heart was big too. He sent money to his mom every paycheck. He was a good man and a great brother.
I met Jim “Banger” Walling in Jump school and SERE in 1984. He was a FAC (Forward Air Controller). My original job was FAC so I made it my purpose to make sure he was successful where I would not. He was in the other bunker when he was hit. He was a very thoughtful guy. He thought of others usually before himself. He said his parents taught him that. I’m pretty sure they taught him by example more so than words. He was also concerned at his death that his brother knew he was honorable and there was honor in his death. He was also very concerned for how his death would affect his family but especially his parents. I could tell his family were very close.
I met Davis “Jefferson” Keinton in Jump school, and we took a tactical driving course and a shooting instructor course. He loved eating steaks. During our combat experience we were hit by a lucky mortar team. Jeffy was in the thick of the fight next to me when he got hit by a mortar. It hit to his left about 40 feet away. The blast knocked me down and shrapnel tore through Dave’s body putting several holes in him. Doc did his best at patching him up but he only lived about 30 minutes before his body gave up. He spoke about his home. He was sorry he had never met the right girl. He said he was going to miss eating steaks. He said he is glad to have given himself honorably. His last words were “I love my country and I love you guys.”
Ron “Tex” Ritter was a good-old-boy from Texas. He was a hunter and a Dad. He had 2 small kids, a girl and a boy. He was quiet but mischievous. He liked a good, harmless prank. We would constantly find our boot laces tied together! He was nuts and delighted in little jokes. He loved his wife completely. He was very true to his wife. He also was a true patriot. He was never happy about hearing news reports of those desecrating our flag. He would have been livid at someone kneeling during the National Anthem. We were always around each other, and I liked his sense of humor. His favorite saying was “Embrace the Suck!” He also loved tacos. We met in SERE. He was also a force to be reckoned with in combat. A fierce warrior.
Each of these men were special in their own ways. The thing with them was that they could be depended on in a crisis. I can’t think of a single guy that I was in combat with that I would not go back into combat with. Some of them started out a little rocky but when they got used to the adrenaline and fear, they “embraced the suck” and fought to their last breath as the four above did.
I can remember meeting George Martinez at an Air Force base 13 years after our combat experience. It was as if we had just stepped off the C130. I could tell he had moved on with his life, but I could see in his eyes the wear the years of that incident had put on him. Even so, I could hear the sincerity in his voice as he said he was glad to see me. I took a driving course with him in 1986 and then our combat moment was in 1988. Many things had changed in his life, yet I could put my life in his hands and his in mine.
I am here to bear witness of the greatness of these men. They had many faults but the connection and bond we shared will live on until the day we die and probably beyond. Their patriotism in spite of background, culture, and even some political differences, was unmatched. They lived up to the honor of their oaths. They had valor and honor that was shone in their daily lives right up to the end. I am in awe of their sacrifice and don’t want to forget them, and many like them. When we have days like Memorial Day, I hope you will pause in your activities of the holiday and day off, and remember the witness that I, and many like me, have of the lives of those who gave their “last full measure of devotion” to each of us and to the country they so loved.
I thank God for these guys and for people like you that appreciate their service.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
No comments:
Post a Comment