Reprinted with permission from Brunswick County Early College High School’s The Firebird Times.

November 11th is so much more than just a day off from work or school. It is so much more than just another holiday that is recognized by the federal government of the United States. November 11th is a day on which we honor those who have served our country in the Armed Forces, a day on which it is most important to say “Thank you for your service,” to all veterans. Veterans are so much more than just people who go off and fight. They fight for a cause, a cause that so many of us take for granted everyday. The cause…our freedom. So, for that, it is essential that we honor those who have helped to shape this country as we know it. 

This Veterans Day, I would like to spotlight Mr. Gerald Decker, founder and president of Teen Scene and Cape Fear Voices, founder of VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 12196, and Quartermaster 2nd Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy serving in Vietnam. In a time when the United States was drafting young men into the Armed Forces, Mr. Decker volunteered to go fight. He enlisted in the Navy to go to Vietnam, a war met with horrible backlash. While interviewing Mr. Decker, I asked him the question, “Did you see any backlash when you got home from Vietnam?” His answer was shocking, even though I already knew of the lack of appreciation for Vietnam Veterans upon their return home. He said that, when he got back to San Diego, his homebase, he and the other soldiers were spit on, there were signs displayed that were against the immeasurable bravery that they had shown in a time of war, and, above that, they were forced to wear civilian clothes in order to avoid potential violence. But, his response is something I think that we must all take into consideration when thinking of who should take accountability for certain actions. His response was “Separate the warrior from the war.” When a soldier leaves home and goes to fight, we should appreciate the sacrifices they made and the courage they showed, not display violence towards them because we don’t agree with the mission of a war. Soldiers are still soldiers, no matter what.

Mr. Decker spoke of the most rewarding part of his service – his travels. He said that he got to go to Japan, China, Vietnam, Guam, and the Philippines. He said that the best part was that he got to go to these places for free. But, in addition to that, Mr. Decker said that his travels broadened his worldview. He expressed his shock to see how others lived and that after seeing that, he felt, as he said, “lucky to live in the U.S.” Additionally, I asked Mr. Decker what he considered to be the most challenging part of his military service. He said that one of the most challenging parts was, “surviving with someone screaming in your face.” But, above that, he said that the long hours and homesickness was the most difficult part. 

I later asked him what advice he would give young people considering joining the military. His response was eye-opening to say the least, in my opinion. He said that we all should join as soon as we can and that, “Nothing else makes you more appreciated.” I told him of my fears of leaving home to join the military. This is when his response changed my perspective. He then turned the question to me and asked me if I was planning to go to college. I answered with an affirmative. He immediately drew the similarity that if I was planning to go to college, then I’m still planning to leave home, so why not leave home to go into the military.

 The final question I asked Mr. Decker was, “What does Veterans Day mean to you?” Mr. Decker responded that it was to “let the public remember the sacrifice.” Veterans Day is a day to honor all veterans. It is a day to show our appreciation for all men and women who have served. So, no matter how Veterans Day affects you or your family, whether your mother, father, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or anyone that you know that has served in the military, take time, especially on Veterans Day, to just say “Thank you for your service.” This simple phrase can mean so much to those who have served, so always remember to show your appreciation.