Not just a Two Star Mom.....
I think I may have mentioned that Ron is a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam war era. He served 6 years active and his reserve duty as well. There are some things he talks about - where he's been, (for instance, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor for awhile and since he's been there sees no reason why WE should go to HI as a couple - "been there, done that Susan; I saw it for both of us).
Sigh. :)
But the one thing he doesn't mention often is his Vietnam tour of duty on a destroyer in 1967. They served off shore, took troops in at night, picked them up in the morning. Unfortunately, there were often fewer soldiers in the morning than left the ship the night before. Also supplied assistance to other ships in the area. On a beautiful day in August, 1967, they went to the assistance of another ship which was taking rounds. Only ten minutes earlier, Ron had been down in the fire room talking to a young man who was writing home. In only a few short minutes, Ron's life and the life of everyone on board would change forever as the ship took fire from shore and a man was killed. The man was the young sailor Ron had just spoken to moments earlier. Ron had never told me that part of the story.
The other day, Ron came across some information about the sailor's family and he was able to contact the young man's sister by phone. She is the only surviving member of the family now, but he wanted to tell her that he had been with her brother only moments before his death, and what a great guy he was - such a likeable young man.
Ron spent a few minutes on the phone with her, and then said his goodbyes. When he hung up, he was visibly shaken. I had never known that Ron was so close to being injured or killed during that attack, but as he deals with that reality so many years later...he wonders still, why he was spared? I quietly told him,
"It's simply called, "but for the Grace of God."
I am not just a proud two star mom - I am a Veteran's wife - thankful every single day for the Grace of God.
May the blessing of His Grace and love continue to be with all who serve...no matter where that may be.
I think I may have mentioned that Ron is a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam war era. He served 6 years active and his reserve duty as well. There are some things he talks about - where he's been, (for instance, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor for awhile and since he's been there sees no reason why WE should go to HI as a couple - "been there, done that Susan; I saw it for both of us).
Sigh. :)
But the one thing he doesn't mention often is his Vietnam tour of duty on a destroyer in 1967. They served off shore, took troops in at night, picked them up in the morning. Unfortunately, there were often fewer soldiers in the morning than left the ship the night before. Also supplied assistance to other ships in the area. On a beautiful day in August, 1967, they went to the assistance of another ship which was taking rounds. Only ten minutes earlier, Ron had been down in the fire room talking to a young man who was writing home. In only a few short minutes, Ron's life and the life of everyone on board would change forever as the ship took fire from shore and a man was killed. The man was the young sailor Ron had just spoken to moments earlier. Ron had never told me that part of the story.
The other day, Ron came across some information about the sailor's family and he was able to contact the young man's sister by phone. She is the only surviving member of the family now, but he wanted to tell her that he had been with her brother only moments before his death, and what a great guy he was - such a likeable young man.
Ron spent a few minutes on the phone with her, and then said his goodbyes. When he hung up, he was visibly shaken. I had never known that Ron was so close to being injured or killed during that attack, but as he deals with that reality so many years later...he wonders still, why he was spared? I quietly told him,
"It's simply called, "but for the Grace of God."
I am not just a proud two star mom - I am a Veteran's wife - thankful every single day for the Grace of God.
May the blessing of His Grace and love continue to be with all who serve...no matter where that may be.
3 comments:
Beautiful post Sue. Your husband is a hero to all of us. You know, there is probably so much that our soldiers don't talk about. We will never really know the darkness they had to endure. I somehow think they are trying to protect those of us back home from worry.
Betsy
What a great post....and Ron...what a wonderful man he is.
HUGS,
Karen
Beautiful Sue...believe me it meant a lot to that sister to know someone who knew her brother, and who knew what he was doing moments before he met his maker.
I know I love it when people talk about Dave. It some how makes me feel like he is still a part of this world. He isn't gone. No one can ever take away our memories. That sometimes is a good thing.
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