All Veterans gave some. Some Veterans gave all…read more
With Freedom comes Responsibility so here I am again visiting Northern California Veterans Cemetery to do our Duty to Honor those Veterans here who Served for Duty, Honor and Country. We will always remember them. Veterans who Served not because the Veteran hated what was in front of 'em, but because the Veteran loved what was behind 'em.
This visit we walked to James E. Swett's headstone. He graduated from San Mateo High School, San Mateo, California, and enrolled at the College of San Mateo in 1939. He earned a private pilot's license, then enlisted in US Naval Reserve as a Seaman Second Class 26 August 1941, and started Flight training in September. Swett went on to be a US Marine Corps' fighter pilot, flying ace and recipient of Medal of Honor, Distinguished Flying Cross twice, Purple Heart, and Air Medal five times. He retired as a Colonel after 29 years of military Service.
We remembered that family holds children's hands for a while and their hearts forever while we then walked to the gravesites of three GIs killed-in-action:
Corporal Preston Dennis, US Army, married, age 21
Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Regelin, US Navy, 2011 USO Sailor of The Year, age 24
1st Lieutenant Sean Jacobs, US Army, US Military Academy aka West Point graduate, age 23
We finished up at the headstones of Iwo Jima Sergeant Raymond Jacobs, US Marine Corps; and Andeasen Reinholdt, US Army 11th Cavalry Regiment Black Horse Calvary, the last Army regiment to go from horse to armor.
My latest visit to here again reminds me that death ends a life, not a relationship. There are extraordinary men and women and extraordinary moments when history leaps forward on the backs of individuals such as the Veterans here. Veterans that appreciated that what can be imagined can be achieved, that you must dare to dream, there's no substitute for perseverance and hard work and teamwork because no one gets there alone; and that, while we commemorate the... the greatness of events and the individuals who achieve them, we cannot and should not forget the sacrifice of those who make these achievements and leaps possible.
Here is Hallowed and Sacred ground. That means never is yelling done here and no playing or games are to be played here. That includes pokeman players.
All formally dressed, shoes shined, we were here to solemnly, humbly and reverently pay our respects to our fellow Veterans here. Just as we had told our children when they were young, we told children here with us today that here are Veterans who gave their today for our tomorrows. We taught the children to walk not run nor play in any Veterans cemetery. We taught them to talk low and not shout. Then we taught them to stand still for a moment in silence here, ending the moment of silence with a slow salute.
There's beauty here although among it is a terrifying story that war's never a nice place to visit, and no one wants to live there. As we walked this well-maintained Veterans cemetery, tears came as I again remember the words of General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., US Army (Ret.), that "the more we sweat in Peace, the less we bleed in war." Those words should be and always must be the war standard that we hold every politician to. For "The military don't start wars. Politicians start war." correctly said General William Westmoreland, US Army (Ret.). That's why I support that all elected or appointed politicians who aren't currently Serving or haven't Served in US Armed Forces, are required to spend the first six weeks of each of their terms in front line combat zone military hospital unit.
In 1946, just after end of World War II, Ernest Hemingway, himself a victim with PTSD from being a World War I ambulance driver, wrote, "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime." That's why I also support a military draft for all with no exemptions so those who previously never Served would understand the true and full costs of military Service.
The Northern California Veterans Cemetery (NCVC) is the first California Veterans Cemetery constructed with the cooperation of the US Department of Veterans Affairs "VA", and is operated by the State of California. State Veterans Cemeteries are intended to serve areas that are not adequately served by a VA National Cemetery. It was dedicated 11 November 2005. Cemetery grounds are open every day from sunrise to sunset.