Veteran’s Day … honoring our veteran’s

by Trenda

Being married to a veteran, my eyes always “brim” when I hear the Star Spangled Banner … when I go to the Veteran’s Hospital … or when I hear the somber strands of Taps being played.  Today is a very special day.  This is a day I can collectively thank our veterans and tell them with a heart full of gratitude … “thank you for your service; thank you for your sacrifice; thank you for your selflessness.”

A Day in the Life of a Veteran

Today I am writing about my husband … the strongest, most courageous, unselfish and unpretentious man I know … my very own soldier, my very own veteran 💗

It’s because I am so very proud of him and all of our military heroes that I am writing this. I am writing this for those who have asked me over the years about Richard’s military career.  I am writing this for those who have wondered what it’s like to be a soldier.  I’m also writing this for those who wonder … why do we celebrate Veteran’s Day.

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This is a summary of the very last day my husband, Richard, ever flew a helicopter and the price he and his crew paid for helping others live a life that is filled with the freedoms we take for granted.

While flying a Special Forces Team in on a rescue mission during the Vietnam war, the helicopter – my husband, Richard and Bill Seaborn were flying – came under attack and was hit by AK-47 fire, and a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) exploded into their ship, and destroyed the flight controls and they crashed headlong into the trees and into the jungle of Vietnam.

Richard was knocked unconscious when the helicopter crashed, but his gunner was able to pull him out of the wreckage before the helicopter burst into flames.  For the next 6 1/2 months, Richard was in the hospital with head injuries, and bullet wounds in his hand, his ankle, and along his spine.  He had a broken jaw, a broken nose, shrapnel wounds all over his face and hands, and both eyes were hemorrhaged.  His leg was in traction and he had a broken femur, a broken tibia, a broken ankle, and all the toes on his right foot were crushed.  When he was finally released, he was still in a body cast.  His life was forever changed, but he never complains.

Thankfully, Richard and 2 other soldiers in his crew, survived that day. However … sorrowfully, Bill Seaborn, Richard’s friend and fellow pilot and 4 Special Forces soldiers didn’t survive, and were killed that day.  The day their helicopter was shot down over an obscure jungle in Vietnam there was no fanfare, no applause; no accolades … they were just fighting for the freedom of others and fighting to protect the men they were with.

My husband standing in front of the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington D.C.  – the friend and fellow pilot that was killed the day their helicopter was shot down … William H. Seaborn 

It’s inappropriate to say “Happy” Veteran’s Day … so how do you truly thank a veteran? With eyes brimming and a heart full of gratitude … “thank you for your service; thank you for your sacrifice; thank you for your selflessness.”

 You honor Veteran’s Day remembering … “The price of freedom, isn’t free.”

Honoring all our Veterans ~ November 11, 2016

From my cottage to yours  ~  Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today!  I’d love to hear from you!  Please leave any questions or comments, below.