50 Days of Remembering 50 Years Day #15

Being There

The next few posts will center on being there for one another. 

Our family tries to support one another in good times and bad times. From our kids' sports games, plays, ceremonies, graduations to being in the pet parade or getting them to scouts or Awanas or whatever. We were always there cheering them on, supporting them, maybe making a costume or helping remember lines or Bible verses. We cannot count the times we were "there". Even as they became adults, we can still say we have been and will be "there".

We have been there for grandkids too as our new descendants have increased. It is harder the older we get, but I try to live doing what I can do, while I still can do it. I know it blesses me just as much as it blesses them.

When my Dad was in the senior talent shows, we were there to cheer him on. 

We were there when our parents needed help. When George's mother was nearing the end of her life, we had her live with us for a short while. We gave up our bed for her. George slept on the living room couch, and I slept on the floor in a sleeping bag in Tiffany's room. When my Mom was in the hospital at the end of her life, I went to visit her every single day for a month. We saw my Dad through so many hospital and nursing home stays and did what we could for him. When our parents were living, we were sure to make sure they were not alone on holidays. We tried to always think of them, and I still do every day even though they are not with us on earth. 

We have also tried to be there for others outside of the family. Over the years we hope many others have felt blessed by our actions. 

George and I have been there for each other through the losses of loved ones, troubling times, in sickness and hardships, but we have also been there in the good times--throwing each other special birthday parties and celebrating in special moments. 

I have attended several Veteran programs to honor George's military service. from special CT awards and Vietnam awards, visiting the wall together, and I spoke when he received the local Veteran of the Month award. As you can see from the photos, our family was there for him too. 

George has been there for me when I was sworn in as postmaster 

when we had a special "Heartland" stamp unveiling and other postal milestones, including retirement.

He was supportive and helpful in the publishing of my book. When I had the book launch, family also showed up for support. 

I know there were many more times I could mention. We've lived through a lot in 50 years. In good times and bad, we have been there for each other.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

I Thessalonians 5:11

Barkhamsted Veteran of the Month Ceremony

 

On August 1st, my husband, George Washington, was honored at a ceremony as Barkhamsted Veteran of the Month. He was the third veteran honored in this new initiative that was launched on July 4, 2021, originally suggested by Joe Jackson of the American Legion National Committee. 

On the first Sunday of each month at 6:00 PM, an American Flag is raised at the Barkhamsted Senior Center and flown for one month in honor of a local veteran. At the end of the month, the flag is retired, folded and presented to the veteran or their family.

The Riverton Grange #169 launched the Veteran of the Month initiative in partnership with the Town of Barkhamsted, Barkhamsted Senior Center, American Legion Post #159, Barkhamsted Lions Club and Northwestern CT Cyber Lions Club. The Royal Coachman Tavern at the Old Riverton Inn underwrites the cost. Dave Roberts is the master coordinator between all these organizations and master of ceremonies. We are thankful to those organizations for this program and for bestowing this honor upon my husband, We were fortunate that the rain held off until the very end of the ceremony. 

We were touched by the number of friends and family who came to the ceremony. We were honored that our state representative, Mark Anderson, came and said a few words. It was a great celebration of George's military service to our country. Usually I am the photographer and have had to rely on others for the photos I have included below. For those who could not make it, I have transcribed here the words that I shared at the ceremony. 

"First thank you all for coming tonight to honor our Vietnam veteran, George Washington.

When George was 17 recruiters came to Northwestern Regional #7 and he decided to enlist. George took the Air Force test and entered the Air Force on August 20, 1965.

He completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Following that he was trained as an Air Traffic Control operator at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi.

He spent the next two years at Dover Air Force Base as an air traffic control operator, where he learned that was his dream job. Years later when he tried to pursue this career, health restrictions prevented him from becoming a controller, one of his biggest life disappointments. On a side note, his bucket list included going up in an air traffic control tower again, which with federal regulations seemed impossible but in 2019, 50 years after having left the service, we were pleasantly surprised when this wonderful controller allowed us the privilege of going up in the air tower at the beautiful Groton-New London airport. It was a treat for both of us. George enjoyed seeing how technology had changed the job.

Back to George’s service: On June 29, 1968 he was sent to Pleiku, Vietnam. He served there as a radar control operator until June 28, 1969.

For his service, George earned the following awards:

Republic of Vietnam Campaign

Vietnam Service Award

National Defense Service Award

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Air Force Good Conduct Award

Air Force commendation

Republic of Vietnam medal of gallantry with palm

CT military service award

Parachutist wings

My husband will proudly tell you that is he a Vietnam Veteran…..now. Fifty years ago, it was a different story. All previous wars or conflicts, men arrived home with fan fare and open arms. Not only did the Vietnam veterans not receive a warm welcome, some were treated with great disrespect and ridicule. Those arriving home from Vietnam put on their civilian clothes and tried to blend into the scenery unnoticed. Many of them, only in their early twenties, were made to feel ashamed for having served their country, risking their lives, experiencing death of fellow comrades and all the horrors of war.

50 years after coming home from Vietnam, George decided he wanted to return to Vietnam. I had high anxiety about such a trip, but our son jumped at the chance of a lifetime for this father/son trip. So, in 2018 Ben & George went to Vietnam to see how the country had changed. When they returned to Bradley Airport near midnight, family and friends greeted him with welcome home signs giving him the welcome he deserved decades earlier.

Despite the stigma and sometimes cruel disrespect George received upon returning home from his service and despite suffering medical issues from Agent Orange that deem him a disabled veteran, George is always proud to say that he served our country, and he greatly appreciates acknowledgements like this that finally welcomes him home and thanks him for his service. It is not too little, too late for all these veterans. We thank the Royal Coachman Tavern and all the organizations listed on the back of your program for doing this for those who served our country.

Thank you, George, for serving our country and thanks to God for bringing him home safely so we could make this life together and be here with our children and grandchildren and other loved ones today."