Benton's Books

Ya know, I've been around the military for over 35 years and I don't consider myself special, but I guess to some folks I am.  Most Veterans are, I guess, a lot like me.  They might be your dad, mom, the mail carrier, or your doctor.  The above picture was taken in southeast Asia, in 1973, when I was just a young kid.  But, many of my friends died as young kids and most never had the chance to face a very long life.  I consider myself very lucky to have been in the military, although I carried it a bit long and served for over 26 years, and I've never had a moment of regret.  Oh, I get emotional each Veteran's Day, only it's for reasons most of you will never understand.  I don't, not so much, remember the dead, but remember the living Vets I know.  We were just kids, most of my career and facing such difficult times together.  I will never be as close to any person in my life again as I was with "Rap" Brown (hello brother), Stony Burke, Lujan (Rest in peace my friend), or Tony Turner.   You may be surprised, but I served with those jokers for over a year and most of them I don't have a real first name, just a nick name we called them.  I salute each of you for your service and your sacrifices...we could have run to Canada or went to school, but we didn't.

The next time you speak to a veteran remember, they are normal people, although they may have been to hell and back, they survived.  They may be anyone you know, so don't judge others and suspect they are suffering from some sort of mental disorder from combat...LOL...they may be suffering from a disorder, but it may not be from battle.

To my fellow Veteran's, I am honored to have served and I respectfully call you brother or sister, without even knowing you.  I have more in common with you than most folks and most importantly, I KNOW I can trust you with my life.

A big salute to America's Vets and a question to those who avoided service?  You reap all the rewards of being an American, but what has been the expense to those who served?  Blood, and paid by others, not you.  That's all I had to say.