What is war really like? It’s something I find myself wondering whenever I talk to a veteran who’s been through one. It was no different when I sat down with Army vet Bob McLaughlin. As he told me his story (he had to hold back tears at one point; I drove away from the American Legion after the interview sobbing), I couldn’t stop myself from trying to imagine things as he must have seen them…as a teenager fighting in the Vietnam War.
Thanks to Bob and many others, I’ll likely never have an answer to my question. They fought so that those at home would not have to know what war is like. I don’t want to take up too much more of this post with my words. When it comes to veterans, I get weepy and melodramatic. Anyway, this is Bob’s story. Not mine.
This is a veteran’s story.
Today, Bob is actively involved in the veteran’s community here in Fresno. At 68, he is vice commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 102. He’s 2nd vice commander of Post 509 of the American Legion and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 8900. Bob also serves on the board of the Veterans Home of California in Fresno.
Thank you, Bob, and all veterans and active military servicemen and women. And thank you to the vets in my life: My late grandfather, Art Gilbert, who served in the Army during World War II; my cousin James Gilman who fought in Iraq and is still overseas; family friend and Vietnam vet Paul Ratto; And all the guys from my alma mater, Buchanan, who fought, many of whom gave their lives.
If you have a veteran you’d like to thank, please leave a comment. Tell their story and yours. I’d love to hear them. Thank you vets!
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Thank you Kendra for interviewing Bob McLaughlin. It brought back memories and tears because I remember when my brother, who was also stationed in Cam Ram Bay, Vietnam and came back home, when he walked off the plane at the Fresno Airport, he was also spat on and yelled at! I was 14 years old and didn’t understand what was going on. I was very upset that people were treating my brother, whom I was so very proud of, like this. What was going on? He didn’t say anything. He just hurried us along. Later, I was explained why. It just made me sick and I cried. I will post this on my brother’s face book time line. May God bless you and may God bless Bob McLaughlin.
Wow, Linda. It’s hard to believe those things actually happened. And then you hear vets talk about it and it just makes you so mad. I’m so glad we can show these guys nowadays just how thankful we are for them. Something that should have been shown when they stepped off the airplanes back in the 1960s and 70s. I thank your brother for his service. And thank you for sharing your story.