I realized after I'd heard “When I got hit . . .” numerous times that it was spoken as a matter of fact and as nonchalantly as one might say “When I got up yesterday” or “When I got back from the store. . .” Maybe that's what happens over time; physical wounds heal quicker than psychological ones. The healing process was accelerated on this trip.
A second Habitat for Humanity Vietnam Veteran Build is in the works for next year. At least half of this year's veterans are planning to return. RM wants to bring his brother. M wants to bring his father. D and E are willing to return, but only if their wives come with them. There is a lot of benefit to having non-veterans around. They want to see how we react to the situations we are put in and ask questions about what it was like 40+ years ago. There is a comfort in knowing that someone cares about what we went through and a great comfort in hearing the words, “Are you okay?” We were fortunate to have angels with us that provided comfort. I made them honorary veterans. They were particularly present when AK 47 rounds shattered the silence in Cu Chi. Here are their names:
Dr. Kenneth W. Bensen, (Ken)
President, State Support Organization Alliance, HFHI
President Emeritus, habitat for Humanity Michigan
Karen Bensen
Compliance Specialist, Great Lakes Capital Fund
Jason Vance
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
Nicole Schafer
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
Jean Kurttenbach
gjkurtenbach@telebeep.com
There is one more name on the roster not yet identified; his name is Scott. Scott served in the Mediterranean and sported a comforting voice and a reassuring smile throughout the trip. Since he is already a veteran, I now declare him an honorary Vietnam Veteran. Thank you, Scott.
Scott Parsley
E-5 Navy, USS John F Kennedy, Aviation Fuels, 1970-73
Home Base Norfolk, VA
The guys told many stories naming those who the stories were about. Far too many ended with, “He was killed at . . .” There was always a quiet pause when those words were spoken. One of the major guilt of war is survivor guilt; asking yourself why it was him and not you. The pat answer is that we were spared to do something greater. Our response is: that's ludicrous. Almost sixty thousand Americans died in Vietnam, and each was special in his own way. We were all in it together then, and we are all in it together now--veterans and non-veterans alike. Rarely is there a sense of brotherhood like the one bonded by war, and we are very fortunate to have each other and to have had our angels with us.
This will help to lend character and narrative to the piece.
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