Freedom is not free. How many times has this been said… and still, most take our country’s freedom for granted, or for themselves. The USS Midway Museum in Washington D.C. is taking steps to ensure history is not just written but spoken. Veterans of several wars, primarily Vietnam, are recording experiences during and after the “conflict.” According to Phil Eakin, the navigator on the USS Higbee in 1972, the first destroyer bombed in Vietnam, “Written history is important for future generations, but, by its nature, unless it’s autobiographical, is distant and sanitized. Oral history provides a record of somebody who was there.”
Although our WWI Veterans are no longer with us, there are Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and more recent wars. War does not come without consequences. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) was not recognized or treated until 1980. The Korean War ended in 1953 and Vietnam ended in 1975. Past Veterans typically did not discuss experiences on the battlefield or their fears, and at times turned to addictions and “improper” emotional manifestations. Today PTSD treatments emphasize support groups and sharing stories. Generations learn the cost of freedom, subsequently appreciating the men and women who made liberty a priority.
This writer never heard a story about war from her father, a Korean War vet. Until she was well into her fifties, had not experienced the tales of a veteran until working with Seniors in a medical role. Stories of finding Germans frozen to their machine guns at Bastogne, storming the beaches of Normandy, pictures of a Nazi death camp survivor, and accounts of hot, mosquito-infested camps… all strengthened my appreciation for our country.
Listen and share the stories of those who built and maintained the freedom enjoyed today so others may also learn to appreciate what others have given. Make history personal. If you have a story to tell, please record it both verbally and in written form. Help future generations understand what changed and what stayed the same. Veterans are America’s heroes–heroes for all ages.
Bridge to Better Living recognizes the sacrifices and heroism of each Veteran they serve, as well as their families. We listen. We understand. We appreciate. Our no-cost-to-client services demonstrate dedication to “Placement with Passion®.” If you are a Veteran, related to a Veteran, or know a Veteran contact Bridge to Better Living today. We care about YOU and are eager to hear your stories