Veterans Challenged To Tell Their Story
Last updated Saturday, November 8, 2008 5:59 PM CST in News
By Melissa Sherman
The Morning News
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BELLA VISTA -- Veterans, loved ones and neighbors were challenged Saturday to help change the perception of the armed services by next year’s Veterans Day.
Chaplain Capt.. Mark Golaway stood in front of the crowd and gave each a challenge to not squander opportunities to speak out about their experience serving America.
“There’s an opportunity right now in the midst of this war to change the perception,” Golaway said.
Stories about each veteran’s experience will encourage younger generations to serve in the armed services, he said. Golaway urged the veterans to share their stories instead of students learning about past and current wars in history books.
“Veterans never want to see the hope of freedom lost,” said William Tate, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
Tate told the crowd they should have no “shame” in being an American.
“Why are we allowing our nation to muzzle us?” Golaway asked the crowd. Veterans from the Vietnam War, the forgotten Korean War and even Desert Storm need to relate their experiences, he said.
Retired Lt. Col. Jerry Thompson of Centerton said he often doesn’t talk about his experience in Desert Storm. Thompson said it’s a personal decision but thinks about his experience every day.
Thompson’s wife, Kathy, said her husband has, on occasion, opened up about what he saw to family members including his nephew who’s in basic training before heading to the Middle East.
Kathy said her husband told her once the military prepares soldiers to see dead men, but not babies. During his experience in the Middle East, Thompson recalls seeing children with missing limbs and the image has stayed with him ever since, Kathy said.
“Our nation has at times failed miserable to honor returning veterans,” Golaway said.
A year ago, Golaway returned from Iraq and touched down in Bangor, Maine. Once off the plane, three residents showed up at the airport to greet the soldiers at 3 a.m. with fresh coffee.
Why weren’t there 300, even 3,000 residents on site to help greet the returning soldiers, Golaway asked the crowd. “Why are our streets empty on Veterans Day?”
“I cannot tell you,” he said.
Golaway served alongside 530 soldiers with the 875 Engineer Battalion in Iraq. Their mission was to find improvised explosive devices.
As a chaplain, Golaway was there to give soldiers an opportunity to exercise their religion and listen to their concerns.
Soldiers tend to ask questions about “Why am I here” or “What am I doing,” he said.
Golaway also helped educate soldiers about Iraqi culture. This helped to not demonize the country, since a small majority of people were trying to truly disrupt the country, he said.
Besides the normal training to prepare for heading off to war, Golaway also used movies to help.
With dozens of World War II movies in hand, Golaway would watch each one and right before the climax of the movie, he would pause it.
“What would I do in a situation like that,” he said, analyzing the climax to what role he would play as chaplain to soldiers.
There are roughly 150,000 men and women currently serving in the Middle East for the armed services.
Golaway asked the crowed where those soldiers walls are, their memorials.
“Will they stand on their own or join us where we are,” he said.
The crowd then stood together and through the bitter wind sang, their voices resonated on the surrounding hills.
“God Bless America. My Home Sweet Home.”
• 9 a.m. Monday at Central Junior High School in Springdale. This year’s program will feature music, dance and a procession of flags honoring each branch of the military. The public is invited. A reception with refreshments will follow the program.
• 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Oakdale Middle School in Rogers. Mayor Steve Womack will speak. The public is welcome to attend.
• 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Westside Elementary School in Rogers. Fourth-graders will perform a musical tribute to veterans. Parents and guests are welcome.
• 11 a.m. Tuesday at Veterans Affairs Medical Center auditorium in Building 3 in Fayetteville. Refreshments will be served following the program.
• 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Veterans Day celebration in Bogle Plaza on the campus. Refreshments will be served in the student center, room 108.
• 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at West Fork Middle School. Students will be host of a Veterans Day Celebration for the community at the West Fork Activity Center on the school district campus.
• 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Ambassadors for Christ Academy. The academy’s choir and drama team will perform. All veterans and their families are invited. The school is at 8579 W. Ford Springs Road near County Road 40. For more information or directions, call the school at 273-5635 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• 4 p.m. Tuesday at Apple Blossom Independent Retirement Living. Rogers Mayor Steve Womack will be the keynote speaker with a flag presentation by the American Legion Honor Guard Post 100 Rogers and music by Olde Tyme Music. Local veterans and their guests are invited to attend the ceremony and stay for supper if desired. Reservations are required if guests stay for supper, call 636-7739.
• 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville. Steve Gray, spokesman for 3rd District Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, will offer a presentation on the history of war. For more information, contact Ricky Stamps with Butterfield Trail Village at 442-7220.
At A Glance
History of Veterans Day
Nov. 11 is the anniversary of Armistice Day, a celebration to the end of four years of fighting between the Allied Nations and the Germans in World War I. The fighting traditionally ended at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The day was officially changed to Veterans Day by Congress on May 24, 1954.
Nov. 11, 2008, will be the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Source: Staff Report
Reader Comments (7 comment(s))
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willybill wrote on Nov 9, 2008 7:44 AM:
If one can emagine when I returned from Viet Nam I was in Long Beach, Calif. waiting for my discharge. I received the worst beating of my life after mentioning that I had just returned from Viet Nam. All I can say is what a welcome home party that was. "
ozarks wrote on Nov 9, 2008 8:36 AM:
little richard wrote on Nov 9, 2008 9:14 AM:
lewis1946 wrote on Nov 10, 2008 5:44 AM:
justalocal wrote on Nov 10, 2008 10:50 AM:
Vets, please continue to tell your stories so future generations will always remember what you went through.
God Bless our Vets. "
mafm wrote on Nov 10, 2008 11:18 AM:
Not already registered?
willybill wrote on Nov 9, 2008 7:41 AM: