As a Vietnam era veteran, I hear the big-mouth, gun-nuts spewing immature hero-complex bile. Real combat vets know the debilitating effects of violence, sometimes lasting for generations. It’s what post-traumatic stress does.
Real heroes, like Ike Comacho, have quietly endured with grace and bring honor to the most special of military awards, the Medal of Honor.
D.J. Diebold
Scottsdale/Mesa
Leon Ceniceros posted at 10:01 am on Sat, Mar 26, 2011.
So you are saying ....WHAT ???
DON'T PROTECT YOU HOME WITH A WEAPON ???
DON'T PROTECT YOU FAMILY WITH A WEAPON ???
BUY SOME ... A .22LR PISTOL OR BEAR SPRAY OR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER...TO PROTECT YOURSELF ???
IS THAT WHAT YOU USED AGAINST THE ......VIET CONG AND THE NVA ???
IS THAT WHAT OUR MILITARY IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ARE USING AGAINST THE TALIBAN AND AL-QUEDA............HECK NOW...THEY ARE USING AN ........ASSAULT RIFLE WITH A... 30 BULLET BANANA-CLIP.
Dale Whiting posted at 1:55 pm on Sat, Mar 26, 2011.
D.J.
Perhaps I can help Leon understand. Heroism is not born of strife and violence. Sure the Medal of Honor is awarded to those who desplay heroism under fire. But chances are, the traits and characteristics which they possess and which when drawn out by violence, revealing them as heros lay, dormant until drawn out, but not necessarily under fire.
I can think of three heros, men who served their country in either a military or militant organization. All three learned that real heroism is desplayed by taking courageous acts, acts many do not appreciate or approve. All three were leaders of their respective nations. Two of these nations were at war. The third leader saw an opportunity to help the two leaders at war negoticate a peace, a peace which has lasted now for thirty-five years. After the negotiations ended successfully, both returned home but not necessarily to hero's welcome. Yet both were recognized for their heroism, heroism which was proven by their willingness to risk their leadership careers in negotiations. But the third, the mediator help both of the others see that peace was the best outcome either could hope for and was the best hope for a future of both countries.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to these two brave and heroic leaders. Then both were assasinated by militant groups composed of their own fellow citizens. Years later after the third had left office, working on humanitarian causes world wide, this same honor was bestowed on the third. He survives today, has written authoritatively on the subject of achieving peace, but has been the object of attempts to discredit him by the more militant of his fellow citizens supporting one of those two nations once a war.
All three of these men are heros. None of them needed violence to bring out their heroism. Violence claimed the lives of two after they demonstrated heroism. We all know who these three men are.
While we can always pray for peace, we are better servants of humanity if we work for peace. But real working for peace requires heroism, not side arms.
Bingo6 posted at 2:35 pm on Sat, Mar 26, 2011.
DJ and Dale get it.
I can only speak of two of my heros my father and my Father-in-law.
My Father fought for Leon in the the "Hell on Wheels division fo the 2nd Armored Division of WWII, he fought for Leon through North Africa then after a brief R&R in England fought for Leon from Omaha beach to Berlin, via the Battle of the Bulge, and left defending Leon a Corporeal to live out his life in the quiet pursuit of raising his family unitl his accidental death some 30 years ago.
My Father-In-law, fought for Leon as a fighter pilot with the RAF in WWII, winning the first of 2 DFC's, he spent his career defending Leon in the US Airforce, flying over such vacation spots as Korea, the three tours of Vietnam where he was shot down over Laos, rescued then became base commander of Williams Air Force Base until
his forced retirement due to a stroke.
Both heroes were adamantly anti-war, especially in regards to Viet Nam.
Both men fought for Leon, but not once did they ever brag, complain, or wear their horrific war valor on their sleeves, no causes, no bumper sticker bravado, nor did either one of them ever have the need for a weapon on their person, or in their homes.
That was their choice, not Leon's, but you know what I always felt safe around these two weaponless heroes, no matter what the case.
But each knew that they fought for people like Leon, with one opinion that they both shared. To people like Leon , they had nothing to prove to them, and if I had asked my Father what he thought of people like Leon who shout without thinking he would have said he was just, "All blow, no go, not worth losing sleep over.
Slabside posted at 3:22 pm on Sat, Mar 26, 2011.
OK, I'll weigh in. I have nothing but profound respect for all our nations servicemen/women and war heroes alive and dead. I'm not really sure what D.J.'s rant of "the big-mouth, gun-nuts spewing immature hero-complex bile" is referring to. I'm what you would call a firearm affectionado. I own several firearms of many types, carry concealed and believe in the 2nd Amendment. I do not brag (and Leon does not brag) about firearms. I'm thankful for the veteran's sacrifice for my freedoms.
samkat posted at 8:48 pm on Sat, Mar 26, 2011.
DJ: A lot of us are Vietnam era veterans. Where did you serve in country?
Dale Whiting posted at 8:09 pm on Sun, Mar 27, 2011.
Ditto's to Slabside.