Dear Veteran,

I understand that you must go to war when our country asks you and I understand that going to war for you means leaving your families, friends, loved ones, and neighbors. I understand that the possibilities you face are more definite than what I know and that you realize you may not come back the person you were before you left, or at most, you may not come back alive. But, what I don't understand is if you think the sacrifice was worth it? Did WE live up to your expectations for what you gave to us? When you heard of home, were you glad to hear that we were standing up for you? Or did we let you down?

Sincerely,

Was it Worth It?

San Francisco, CA

Dear Was it Worth It,

First I would like to praise your understanding of the meaning of patriotism. It seems like as our great nation has become more assimilated over the past two centuries, and the free spirit on whom it was founded has become watered down, it is taken for granted by many. You asked whether or not I believed the sacrifice was worth it. Without hesitation I will answer emphatically, "YES . Unlike a few, but like many fellow American patriots, I believed that protecting my country and family was like a "right of passage . Throughout time, young men in every culture have in some form or another, participated in this passage from boyhood to manhood. So, whether you are out proving that you are a warrior by stalking a bear or mountain lion with a bow and arrow, or you kill a lion with a sling shot, or you march off as a boy to defend your beliefs and country, and then come back a man of responsibility, it is all tied together in our history of manhood. The next question that you ask of me is very disturbs me deep down in my soul, and the soul of hundreds of thousands from my era. You see, up till 1965-1973, previous wars were met with very little resistance. The majority of the nation felt threatened in some way and supported these wars in whatever way they could. The spirit of patriotism ran like the mighty Mississippi River, deep and wide. However, something changed to that spirit when foreign sympathizers started poisoning the minds of Americans with the help of the left controlled media during the Vietnam era. We, as fighting soldiers, were oblivious to what was happening back home in the states. Letters from home were more precious than gold, and our families would not discuss the politics and bad press in an attempt to shield us from an already ugly war. So when the majority of us stepped off the plane expecting to come home to a hero’s welcome, we were yelled at, spat upon, called "Baby Killers , and any other name these weirdly dressed-sign carrying, crazy people could think of to call us. I was in total shock and confusion. Here we had given the best four years of our lives to our country and no one would even look us in the face. When I got home no one wanted to discuss how it was or what happened. They really didn’t want to listen to any of the stories of the experiences I went through. After a while I just withdrew into a shell and tried to pick up the pieces the best I could and moved on trying to make a life for my family. So to answer your last question, " did my country let me down ? It may have let me down, but I have never let Her down. I continued to serve as a Law Enforcement Officer, helping the very people that turned their backs on me, just like they are today, turning their backs on our brave men and women in Iraq who are protecting all of us from the "GREATEST threat we have ever faced as a nation. Wake up America before it is to late. It is now time to take action against the enemy within before it destroys us as a nation.

Sincerely,

US Navy Veteran: Petty Officer, 3rd Class,

Dan Abernathy

* If you would like to write to Letters to A Veteran, please email your letter and contact information to the email address, gabrielle.pike@gatheringofeagles.org. Note: GOE reserves the right to choose to publish any and/or all letters submitted.

*If you are a Veteran and would like to contribute to this weekly posting, please email your name, military branch, and rank to gabrielle.pike@gatheringofeagles.org . Note: GOE reserves the right to choose to publish any and/or all submissions.