Veteran

I'm a Veteran. I'm not a hero, just a guy that served his country for a little over eight years. I served honorably, and have two Good Conduct Medals to prove it. Actually the joke in the Navy is that that particular medal is awarded because you were never caught.

I served at the end, the very end of the Cold War, and the very beginning of our current war. My time was spent aboard Aircraft Carriers, safely miles out at sea. I guess if you count working on a Flight Deck safe, then I was pretty safe. President Bush (41) came aboard our ship during the Malta Summit. He presented us with a piece of the Berlin Wall, which was displayed for all to see in a display on the aft mess decks. He said we were part of the reason that wall came down. Really? I didn't feel important.

I floated in the Adriatic Sea for months on end, so the jets from my squadron could fly over the Balkans, and help our troopers on the ground. We never dropped any bombs that I remember at that time, but we were there to support.

On my last deployment I spent half of the time in the Adriatic, and the other half in the Gulf. Once again ready to put a hurting on anyone willing to bring us a fight.

Through all of that I received several medals and ribbons to wear on my uniform. With all that is going on now, I wonder if I really deserve them. Sure we had people die, but not under enemy fire. Most of our deaths were accidents. I had a job to do, and I did it to the best of my ability.

I'm not sure my service even compares to the service of our current Armed Forces, for all intents and purposes, we were 'At Peace'.

Just know that this Veteran is very proud of you folks.