Friday
Apr162010
Cold War Warriors
April 16, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Puna 
Women of a certain age have lived through a lot of history. Not just our own but those of our world. As such, we can appreciate that our passing through history is not insignificant and it can best be illustrated by looking back. Our present and future becomes more meaningful when we appreciate what came before. It is a luxury that the young cannot appreciate now, but will. The wise will know that history did not begin when they were born but only if they secure this lesson…
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
It is a phrase much repeated because of its sentiment and profound universal truth.
This past week I had the honor of attending a special reunion. It was a reunion of colleagues, friends, brothers. These gentlemen, young and not so young, were entrusted with the impossible task of keeping the world safe. They lived together, breathed together and died together. It is a fraternity like no other and very few of us can ever be a part of.
These gentlemen were all stationed together in RAF Lakenheath base in England, flying one of the premier fighters at a time when the entire balance of world power was at a critical mass. The Soviet Union and the free world were locked in a silent and cold conflict that threatened the stability and safety of the entire free world. These men were at the tip of the spear, using the most advanced technology known at the time and flying the airplane they loved - and at times - hated.
And they won. The Soviet Union was no more. Democracy and freedom were realized by countries who thought they would never be free again. And because of that, we all won.
Some of the men were very young at the time. Even so, the importance of what they were doing weighed on them, their years made older by the task they had to perform. They lost some of their own brothers in their duty, and those who were lost were never forgotten and were honored last week.
It was a privilege to be among them. I heard the stories, lived the retelling and cried with the honoring of lost comrades. The airplane that they flew stood proudly at the entryway to the dinner, a salute to their fine service. They have all moved on to different lives and different careers. Most still fly in some form or other but there were business owners, policemen, venture capitalists, ranchers and the one lobbyist who was getting quite a ribbing from his friends and colleagues for his choice of vocation.
Although all their lives have taken different routes, to a man, they will say it was the best time of their lives. The charge they carry is instilled with a deep pride in their hearts and they wore their hearts on their sleeves. I could see it and it made me proud.
As one of the speakers said, “We were the envy of the world and we kept the world safe for decades.” He said it without pride, without bravado or boast. The words weighed heavily on the room because we all knew it was true.
We then charged our glasses, raised them up and toasted.
“Here, here.”
Reader Comments (13)
What a wonderful tribute to the heroism and bravery of young men who fought to change the world. Sounds like an incredible experience you had...being among them.
How easily we take them and their accomplishments for granted, how easily we lately seem to ignore the lessons of the past. Thank you for a touching reminder.
And "here, here" to you, Puna, for this wonderful tribute to the men who helped to bring about change.
We must keep the stories going, so the younger generation knows the sacrifices these men and women made.
Thanks for the reminder, Puna, of how we must pay attention to the past, "lest we forget." We HAVE forgotten, it appears, for history keeps repeating itself. I hate war and what it does to the collective conscious, but as long as there is evil to be fought, I guess it has to exist?? I hate it. But thank God for the men and women who suffer the scars for us. I would love to know more about your connection to this particular reunion!
No Ginnie, I don't think that 'we' have forgotten. You are right, there is evil. ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.'
Great picture, and a wonderful story to go along with it. War and national defense are a sad reality, but cannot be ignored or forgotten.
It is so important to remember--and to be grateful. Great tribute--and thanks for helping us all to remember.
my dad was one of those ...
Great story and image. My dad, too, was among the ones who fought for our freedom. We must not forget these men...
Yes, remember we must, learn we must, here, here to those who fought and to you for reminding us to remember.
what a wonderful evening you must have had puna, i would have loved to have been there and listened and watched. there is a uk series that i watch every time there is an episode. it's called 'foyle's war'- do you get it in the US? it's about a small community on the south coast of england during the second world war; foyle is the police inspector solving all the different crimes that take place. it is so well done, and i often find myself thinking goodness me, what it would be like to have lived in that time...be part of all that. hardship and tragedy yes, but such an amazing spirit. last night's episode was all about the US troops stationed there. it is obviously just post pearl harbour. i think series like this are such good reminders of what went before and what we now do our best to prevent happening again.
It's very important to remember the past so that the history doesn't repeat itself.