Reflecting on a local gathering of warriors

Published June 5, 2009
By Gary Bain

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A few days after a reporter had published an article about the 40 year reunion of my rescuers, I received a phone call. I was invited to attend a small gathering of veterans. Hesitant to accept the invitation, I reluctantly decided at the last minute to go ahead and go because the gentleman that had called me had gone to the trouble to look me up.

As I was driving down an old dirt road, I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. And then as I approached this old school-building that had been constructed of native Oklahoma stone in the 1930s, I saw all the cars and I knew I was at the right place. The parking lot was full and an overflow of cars were parked on each side of the road.

As I walked inside, I saw every seat was taken, about 60 of them, and there was a band up front. Refreshments, including a cake that had "Thanks to our Veterans" written on it, were spread on a table at the entrance. I walked to the side aisle and looked over the crowd. Some wore military uniforms, some had caps on that indicated their branch of service, and most were accompanied by their wives.

I asked around to find the gentleman who had called me. I introduced myself to him when I found him to let him know I had made it. The event had already started and I realized from what he told me that this was a belated Veteran's Day as there were so many people who were involved in other things over the Memorial Day holidays.

The band took a break and the man who invited me got on the stage and asked each veteran to stand and say a few words. As each spoke, I could hardly believe what I was in the midst of. From World War II through Iraq, each veteran spoke. All of the services were represented, one from the "Battle of the Bulge," another who had been present at the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, some who had seen service in three theaters of war, a Marine with two Purple Hearts, four brothers who served in Vietnam, and on it went until all had spoken -- about 30 in all, with applause after each. I was asked to say a few words. All I could think of was just what an honor and how humbling it was to be in the midst of all these heroes and what an honor it would be to meet and shake the hand of each and every one of them.

The ceremony continued and at one point a World War II vet, who had also seen service in Korea and Vietnam, took the flag up to the stage. Another veteran, proud of his 85 years of age, who was in the band and in uniform and was the veteran from the Battle of the Bulge, sang "God Bless America."

As I stood there with my hand over my heart, I couldn't hold back as tears flowed down my cheeks. Then the person who had invited me recited every word of the "Ragged Old Flag" without missing a beat. I was overwhelmed with pride as I looked over this crowd and realized just what this meant. Here I was in the midst of what America is supposed to be all about. There was no talk of politics, no talk of the economy, just a simple ceremony to honor veterans.

As I drove home I reflected on what I had just witnessed and participated in and tears came once again. Then I wondered to myself about the future of America. And I smiled as I realized there will be future heroes who will fill the shoes of those who have gone before us and they will pull us out of the abyss that we are so mired in. And in small towns across America there will always be another gathering of warriors.

(Editor's Note: Mr. Bain is a former Marine pilot who was shot down in Vietnam. He was the subject of the May 21 article "Remembering the Mother's Day mission" in the Tinker Take Off.)