Deep Beats a Warrior's Heart

Thank you for the links, I will be reading them shortly.

I commend you for coming to Mr Lovell's defense. I am a non-combat veteran myself. I belong to the VFW solely by virtue of my tour in Korea. Consequently I will never be able to fully understand how real combat veterans feel. Your article gives me a bit of a glimpse.

Over the years I have known many combat veterans and they react exactly as you describe.

I recently was deeply honored to be able to participate in the VFW honor detail at my Great-Uncle's funeral. This man was like a grandparent to me. He was a member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion (Carlson's Raiders). He participated in the invasion of Tulagi and Gavutu and was later wounded by grenade shrapnel on Guadalcanal. ONLY after he had imbibed in a few beers would he pull out his photo album from Guadalcanal and share it with me. The pictures in that album were horrific, I cannot imagine being there to take photographs or living through the horror they represent. I feel blessed that he did share a tiny bit of his service to our country with me, I always saw him in a bit different light afterward, he was a humble hero who always dismissed his service time as "Just doing my duty".

Bless you sir for championing for our warriors.

Thank you for your kind words and service.
My family has long been committed to the military, going back to to the War of 1812. My mother's grandfather served as a Marine in WWI. My father was Army Air Corp during WWII while one of his brothers was Infantry, two others served as sailors in the Pacific. Even his oldest sister joined the Coast Guard.
I sometimes saw them in somber conversation that ceased when I approached.
It wasn't until after my first tour of duty that I was allowed to sit in. Then, they welcomed me, and helped me work through some demons of my own. This was the greatest gift I ever received – acceptance and understanding I could not find in the civilian world.
I honor all who serve – combat and non-combat alike – for they were willing to risk all when they took that oath.

Great Posts here and your reply!!

You know if you give people crayons, some folks will eat them. I dont know....what did they expect? A hug?? Two armed men barged in, keyword armed. They were a threat in that fashion.

God Bless you for your service!!

Jason

I believe the admonition “Reap what you sow” applies here.
Thanks for taking time to read and comment.

Welcome, belatedly, to TH.

I, too, am a non-combat vet. USAF 70-74. I had many friends who were infantry, rifle company, etc. They all came home with that fifty yard stare.

I am thankful for God who made us, this country God gave us, and those who chose to devote and even offer up their lives to insure we remain free, as God made us. They are the only heroes in my world.

Thanks for your blog. You fit in rather nicely here.

Glenn Flowers

Excellent reply. I am not a veteran,had too many health issues as a youngster,but Navy runs deep in our family. The average person out there will see N-O-T-H-I-N-G close to what those who have smelled the stench of battle have. Those who sided with the CRIMINAL'S family most likely have NOT been mugged,or worse,or their homes broken into. I would venture to bet those folks,were THEY to be subjected to an armed robbery attempt,or worse,would LOVE to have Mr.Lovell,or someone similar,around to defend them. God Bless all who are,or ever have,served in ANY capacity.

Thank you for the welcome, and your service.
Joining the marvelous men and women of the military are those other first responders. Law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics - heck, even the lowly security guards who run burning buildings to make sure everyone else evacuated before finding their own way out.
Yes, Sir, the real heroes are those who put it out there for us each and every day. They are easy to spot - they will be the ones running TOWARD the problem.

Thanks for stopping by.
We all serve in our own way. My son couldn't enlist due to a herniated disc, but he channeled his efforts toward teaching his children the value and love for our country.

Mr. Lovell did wrong was to let one of the perps live.

So Sayeth the Active Duty Sailor

and Excellent Response!

This is something that most people don't know about or understand. I was a fair weather bubblehead, so never would have had the chance to see what others saw, and have often been glad of it, although I would have done my duty and let the birds fly if called upon without second thought.

Thank you for your service and comments.
I wanted to convey to the other poster that often the greatest burden was as witness to, and participant in, mortal combat. That is a burden never shed.
Due to musical training and an ear for subtle tone variations, Basic Aptitude Testing (BAT) suggested I strike for STS (Sonar Tech, Sub). It was tempting, but I believe in laws.
Newton's law states what goes up must come down.
Saltwater's law states what goes down doesn't necessarily have to come up again.
I opted for the surface fleet.

I salute Mr. Lovell and think the families of the thugs have a ridiculous sense of entitlement for their no good off spring. Families often feel the same way toward police who are forced to use force. My husband was Army and my only male cousin a Marine. I've never been in combat but somehow I think I kind of "get it". Probably because I worked with troops in a rehab center at baylor in Dallas and also worked with them in a psyche facility for several years. I feel like a mama bear where our guys and gals are concerned. I'm protective of them.


Fantastic Post.

You are so right and I'm glad you spoke out. That needs to be written in stone on a monument where crimes like that have happened..to remind the criminals and their families God is out and about whither they like it or not. That Warrior's Heart was made by God...to act without hesitation like a lightning strike.

Perfect description.