SERV & July 4th

Teacher guides vets back to campus
Major props to John Schupp and the Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran (SERV) Program.

Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as the columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several troops falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Marines carry 50-100 pounds on their backs. But because they are marching through farmland on foot, they can't carry nearly as much water as their thirst demands.

Few even realized the date was July 4, but once word of the holiday spread through the company, several said they knew relatives would be holding lakeside celebrations — a world away from the strenuous task Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment was taking on.

Happy Independence Day

Today is Independence Day. While many across the country will celebrate the holiday with family, eating the usual picnic fare and ending the day watching a fireworks display, thousands of men and women will not have that luxury. Instead, they will spend the Fourth of July as they have spent every other day -- away from their families and loved ones or fighting for the freedoms which we so gladly and ignorantly enjoy. They will miss the Fourth of July festivities just as they have missed birthdays, funerals, anniversaries and time that cannot ever be retaken. Are we deserving of that, of their sacrifices? We, Americans who spend our weekends driving to the malls in our SUVs (albeit perhaps not as often in the current economy), attending colleges and sitting in classes in which it is perfectly acceptable, if not normal, to degrade the current war and our troops. We, who rarely watch the news or read a newspaper (they're becoming obsolete, anyway), preferring instead to be content with our reality television and gossip magazines. We who have never seen war, who have never lived under the rule of a dictator, do not know what it truly means to be free. To be grateful. Our troops fight wars abroad so that they stay abroad, but too few understand that. It is a sobering thought. And so I hope that, on this Independence Day, July 4, 2009, you take the time to reflect on what Independence Day really means -- to you, to this country. And I hope you find yourself proud to be living in this nation.

Independence Day Parade

I can't believe that I've never before gone to the Fourth of July parade (local). It was one of the most wonderful experiences ever, and it was packed. The entire parade route was lined with several rows of chairs, blankets and strollers -- and there were even two rows of chairs set up specifically for veterans, who arrived via tour bus.
The parade began with a flyover courtesy of a B-25, which according to some flew up from Ft. Indiantown Gap. It circled the route several times, and it was absolutely inspiring. I can't imagine the pride and safety they would have instilled flying overhead in formation, or the sheer terror they would have instilled in their enemies. It gave me goosebumps.


Then, the flags were marched past, and I was so happy to see that almost everyone rose. They were followed by an Army band and then a lot of soldiers (I realize how general that sounds, but I have no idea how to measure them). Either way, I started crying a mix of I'm-so-proud-of-this-country and personal tears. Everyone applauded them. It's good to know that, even if patriotism is a value largely absent in a great deal of the media and seemingly many college campuses, it's highly regarded in my hometown community.


Aside from the flyover and the troops, one of my favorite parts of the parade was the line of reenactors embodying the Revolutionary, 1812, Civil and World Wars. They were followed by uniformed veterans representing every branch of the armed services.


It was interesting to see the veterans. Most of them were from the Greatest Generation (though I often wonder why today's men and women in uniform aren't also the Greatest Generation). Some of them were from the current war. All of them were thanked by the people they served. I wondered what they thought, what it was like for the WWII vets who arrived home to ticker tape parades and the grateful thanks of a nation to be applauded and thanked today, for the Korean veterans who are so often seemingly forgotten, for the Vietnam vets who couldn't wear their uniforms off-base and who are now greeted with smiles and thank-yous.
I'm so glad that I went. The patriotism and unity for once felt almost tangible; it was very thrilling. I love this country and I'm so grateful for the men and women who serve her.