Let the parade begin

The older I get, the more I seem to notice when it's Veterans Day.

I don't tell war stories, but at a time in our nation's past when we still abducted young men off college campuses, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent a year in Vietnam. I was 21 years old when it happened and 23 when my active duty ended -- what should have been two of the best years of my life, taken away.

There were no tickertape parades for Vietnam vets when we returned home. I was proud, though, that I had done my duty. The wars in the Middle East seem to have given Americans a renewed appreciation for the men and women who have served their country.

At the TCU-Army football game last month, the university honored the area's Vietnam vets. From the bottom of this vet's heart, I want to say thank you, Frogs.

My personal, unofficial top five athletes who served their country:

1. Tom Landry -- flew 30 combat missions as a B-17 pilot in World War II. Shot down, survived, and went on to coach a little football.

2. Ted Williams -- who knows how many hits the Splendid Splinter would have had, had he not spent parts of five seasons (and two wars) as a Marine Corps pilot?

3. Roger Staubach -- Navy officer, served in Vietnam, then went on to Pro Football Hall of Fame.

4. Pat Tillman -- Cardinals safety, spurned NFL contract to volunteer as Army Ranger and was killed in Afghanistan.

5.  Rocky Bleier -- Steelers star wounded and earned Purple Heart in Vietnam.

Comments

[David]

I grew up with a low opinion of the military since my earliest memories about the armed services were formed by television reports about Vietnam. My teen years were filled with fears that our country would reinstate the draft. Now my son wants to serve our country as a Marine officer after college and the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M. I couldn't be prouder of him or of those who withstood the insults of their countrymen to serve honorably in those dark days. Thank you to all who served whenever and in whatever capacity. Gil, thanks for serving and thanks for honoring the others who also served.
David

[Casey]

I can't believe I'm the first to comment on this...

Anyways, I know that it's admirable when people who could be rich and famous decide to serve their country like so many others. But I think the people who've really made a difference are the people like you and so many more like you. The unsung heroes. The people who didn't have much of, if any, choice in their decision to serve. They are the ones who are getting the job done day to day.

Don't discount what you or thousands of other vets have done because their names were never on the sports page.

[Stacy Scribner]

Hello! Bob Feller!