WHAT ABOUT THEM

The attached article was inspired by my beloved

grandmother. She was a very proud woman. All of “her

boys”, (sons and grandsons) were/are enlisted in some

branch of the Armed Forces. She lost one of “her boys”,

her oldest son in Vietnam. One never really, truly gets

over the loss of a loved one, but I believe that the fact that

her son died a hero, fighting to uphold our country’s

freedom and values helped her to move forward with her

life. As I helped carry my grandmother to rest, dressed in

my Air Force Dress Blue Uniform, all I could envision was

the sight of her face with big, rosy cheeks, and a

tremendous smile. At that moment, my spirit was

overwhelmed with a numb, tingling sensation as she

“spoke to me”. I then broke down in tears as I relayed

her message to the rest of “her boys”. I said to them:

“She was proud of us”.

Thank you Grandma.

By Eugene Presciti, SSgt, United States Air Force

10 September, 2001

The military: job, adventure, way of life…What is it

to you? For many in today’s military, it’s easily all of the

above. You may have signed up to get a start in life, to get

a trade or skill. Some come in to travel -- “see the world,”

and others to get an education, or to take advantage of the

various other benefits offered. This is fine, dandy, n’all,

but I believe that today’s military is rapidly losing sight of

exactly why we are here. I fear that we have become a

very materialistic and selfish military, always trying to

find: “what’s in it for me?” ME..! Well, what about

them?

What about them? What about those before us? Do

we really know the price they paid? Is it even possible for

us to truly imagine the sights that have passed before their

eyes, the scars they have carried; not just the mere

physical, but emotional and psychological as well? What

about them? They were aware of what they were up

against. They knew that they were to make many

sacrifices. They knew that they may be faced with the

possibility of laying down their life to defend their country.

They knew this, accepted it, and never asked: “what’s in it

for me?”

I often think of why I joined the United States Air

Force, and why I continue to serve. Then, I usually find

myself questioning my own rationale. People frequently

ask me: “So, what made you join the military?” Of course,

one of those generic answers pop out of my mouth: “to

travel, or to get an education.” The truth is, I just detest

the thought that I oftentimes find myself embarrassed to

say the truth. I feel people will laugh at me, or think I’m a

little corny if I tell them what’s really on my mind. You

see, I serve in the United States Armed Forces just because

of that, to serve. I joined, and continue to serve out of a

sense of loyalty and obligation. It is because of the legacy of

which those who served before us laid. It is because of the

price they paid that I serve. What about them..? They are

the reason I am what I am…Proud!

Dedicated to the memory of my Grandmother: Nora E. Vanderhoff

and her son Cpl. George “Butch” Vanderhoff - killed in action;

Vietnam 16 Oct 1968