Veterans Day

I want to take this time to recognize Veterans day. It falls each year on November 11 and seems to get little attention. I hope by writing this that those of you who read it may have a better understanding of it.
As those of you who know me are aware, I served in the US Navy in Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1 Wolfpack) From February 20, 1985 to February 19, 1989. During those four years I managed to get the Meritorious Unit Accommodation, A Good Conduct Metal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and The Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal.. I received several other accommodations and letters of appreciation during my four year including plane captain of the month for January 1986. The following was the letter I received.

Your outstanding performance, initiative, and dedication to duty have distinguished you among your contemporaries. These qualities have greatly contributed to the squadron’s accomplishments and your special efforts merit your selection as plane captain of the month.
As a plane captain trainee, you consistently give 100%, Always performing beyond expectations. In a very short time you have learned all the necessary requirements of being a plane captain and can be called upon in assisting with the training of others. The sharp manner in which you launch, recover, and turn around aircraft exemplifies your professionalism and conscientiousness. You set the standards for others to follow.
It is through consistent performance by individuals such as yourself that Fighter Squadron ONE is able to fulfill its mission. Your professionalism and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon yourself and are keeping with the highest tradition of the Untied States Navy. On behalf of the officers and men of the “Wolfpack”, I congratulate you on a job well done.

C.V. Parker
Commanding Officer
Fighter Squadron ONE

While this was not one of my greatest accomplishments, it did set the tone for my performance during my four years of service.

My biggest accomplishment and contribution to my self and country was being able to earn the Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal for service in the Persian Gulf during the fall of 1987 during Operation Earnest Will. For 90 days straight we sat at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in the Indian Ocean flying air support for reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Persian Gulf. As you may or may not remember in May of 1987, Iraqi Mirage F-1 fires two Exocet missiles into USS Stark (FFG-31,) mistaking it for an Iranian Tanker killing 37 US Soldiers. The war was between Iran and Iraq and now we are there escorting Kuwaiti ships under the US flag as Iran mined the Gulf , used hit and run attacks with small patrol boats (they started towards the our carrier USS Ranger once but turned away after we sent a couple F-14’s to greet them) and
periodic stop-and-search operations. On several occasions, Tehran fired its Chinese-made Silkworm missiles on Kuwait from Al Faw Peninsula. When Iranian forces hit the reflagged tanker Sea Isle City in October 1987, Washington retaliated by destroying an oil platform in the Rostam field and by using the United States Navy's Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) commandos to blow up a second one nearby.

It was because of these actions we took that I earned the metal. Because of this metal I’m entitled to benefits from the VFW AMVETS and others. The criteria for earning it is as follows:
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 1 July 1958 participate as members of U.S. military units in a U.S. military operation in which service members of any Military Department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), in significant numbers and encounter during such participation foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise place in such a position that in the opinion of the JCS, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it does not materialize.

So I have definitely earned the right to wear this. I’ve also earned the HONOR of being called a veteran. It seems as each Veterans Day goes by and I observe it silently. I remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice unlike me. I was fortunate enough to be part of a fraternity few will ever know. I hope that by the sacrifices I made at the time made this country a little more secure. That the long days away from my family were not made for nothing. While it was not pleasant, I would not trade it for anything in the world. I’m proud to have served and even more proud of those now serving.

This Veterans day please remember our Veterans. If you know someone who is a veteran take the time to thank them. If they are like me they do not seek praise for their service, but a thank you goes a long way.