US Military Veterans this week

Veterans This Week
The question has to be is Greg the person writing the Veterans page articles each week in the Union Leader a US Military veteran himself. One of my best pet peeves is people talking like NH ex-congress woman Shea-Porter about knowing how it is to be a veteran when the only experience is a family member being one. I have the greatest respect for any person that serves in the US Military. My greatest thanks goes to all those that served in combat. I skated as my thirty-one months overseas in the USMC was never at a base camp in the zone. I did eight convoys across Thailand, Laos and Cambodia as American Advisor. I was TAD to Vietnam several times during offensives to repair absorbers so tack birds could hook on short runways. I came back with four disabilities, three being combat related. I am no hero for I did not even deserve to come back alive. Many better than I that could have benefited the USA died for the rights and freedom this nation enjoys ever-single day. You had to be there to understand.
“Sharing a few more stories” is the caption on the veteran’s page that got my eye. Talking about thinks that happen from word of mouth of people that never were there just does not get it with me. The thousands of homeless veterans on the street disabled is a voice that must be heard. The voice of the disabled hampered by VA regulations causing frustration and loses of family, friends and life in the wind to never be heard! We do not share the silent demons openly for the persecution and condemnation our wanting to survive was our only out. PTSD that does not show up for years after discharge not recognized by the US for we cannot prove it is related to what we did. Wives and friends insinuating our actions are uncivilized and cruel or downright criminal. Memories ignited by a common situation at a restaurant that makes all others that see the response question your sanity. We that were there do not sensationalize, as the truth is too gruesome when told by those that lived it. Even the most successful family US Military veteran that was there never forgets the dyeing every second of ever day. We learn not to talk about it and be alone as a means to protect those around us for what we did. Greg’s sharing stories questions why leave those that were there separated from society as the truth is the catalyst you refuse to understand while we are alive.
My VA medical was stopped for writing opinion letters of government wrongs. Even the Veterans pages of every newspaper declares me mentally ill and for the safety of civilized society refuses to hear my words. I lost my freedom for six months under the patriot act until the bogus charges were dropped. Compared to the six hours in Cambodia the gooks took me brought back the memory of killing about a twelve year old guarding the campsite that night. The pride and joy is not accepted back here in the world. Every newspaper should have a veteran’s page and not one story from any US Military Veteran should be censored no matter how real and truthful it is. The question is do you want to hear from the live Veteran?
Peter Macdonald Sgt USMC Semper fi
465 Packers falls Rd Lee NH 03824 603-781-3839