Thanks to the Marines of 3rd Bn, 5th and their families for enriching my life beyond measure.
I've got to admit that up until recently I have never considered
myself to be very patriotic, and to be honest I had never given much
thought to the people in our military except for when I'd see an
occasional news flash about what's going on over seas. I hate to say it
but I have pretty much taken the freedom of my everyday life for
granted. Then one day I got a phone call from this guy named Curtis
Eidson. He had somehow gotten a hold of one of my CDs and called me
about doing some entertainment for a Vietnam Veterans Reunion. Of
course I was excited, as someone trying to get some exposure in the
music business it sounded like a great opportunity.
We made arrangements to meet at his house a few days later to
discuss the details. From the moment I got out of my truck at his house
I felt like I had been known him and his wife Brenda all my life. Not
unlike a trip to my granddaddy's house he would not let up until you
were fed and felt at home in every way, and man can he make some good
muscadine wine like granddaddy used to. But he wouldn't let me drink
more than a sample because I had to drive home. He soon began to tell
me about his cause and how they had been working to bring these
Veterans together and Honor the families who had lost loved ones in
Vietnam and sometimes had never even gotten word about how they died.
As I listened to some his stories I began to look at my life from a
different angle and thought how well off I've been all this time
because of what so many others have given. But one thing that really
struck a chord with me was the fact that this guy had talked about what
all these people had done and all they had given. But he never once
bragged on himself, and I was sure there had to be more to this guy
than what he was saying.
As I was getting ready to leave, I hinted that I sure would like a
sample of that wine to take home, so I followed him downstairs to where
he kept it. On the way we past a wall that was covered in memorabilia
from the war and much of it appeared to be paying tribute to him. Now I
am very ignorant on what all of it meant and he didn't seem to want to
talk about himself much but I'm sure this man has made great
contributions and sacrifices for his country.
In the weeks that followed Curtis had become a great friend and
began doing anything he could think of to help me further my career in
the music business and through him I have met a lot of great people.
But as the time got closer to when I would be performing for the
Veterans Reunion I started getting nervous. You see, although Curtis
was a great guy I still had this stereotype in my head for what kind of
person the average Vietnam Veteran must be. Just putting myself in
their shoes as I often try to do in judging people. I imagined leaving
my family and my homeland to go and fight for my country, with little
regard for my own safety and watching my fellow soldiers lose their
lives. Then, to come home and be treated like an embarrassment to the
very people I was willing to die for and be spat upon. Or to be the
father or mother who sent there child away which never returned. How
could someone like this be anything but bitter and hardened and have a
deep hatred for anyone who had not been down that road or could
appreciate what they had gone through. I was afraid of what I might be
in for.
Man was I wrong about these people!!! From the moment I first
arrived I felt like one of the family, as if I'd known them all my
life. They were all like Curtis! All I had to do was sit down next to
someone and in a few short minutes I had a new friend! Even before my
performance I had people telling me how honored they were to have me as
a guest. I have never felt so humbled in all my life. Men who had been
shot up in battle and went back for more time and again were treating
me like I had done something great just for being there. After my
performance was over I was overwhelmed with people who were expressing
their gratitude toward me. Later as I was loading the last of my
equipment on the truck this elderly lady was being escorted up the hill
to where I was by two young women. She said she just wanted to come and
thank me for all I had given her through my songs. What! I couldn't
believe this. This lady had just been honored in the memorial
presentation for the heroic actions of which I believe was her son that
had lost his life in battle! All I did was to sing a song. And she went
out of her way to thank me.
On the drive home I found myself trying to analyze what I had
learned from this experience and also thinking about the fact that we
were about to bury my grandfather that evening. Another man who had
endured a rough life and yet gave so much to so many. Could it be that
these people who had given so much of themselves didn't know how to be
any other way? Is that a part of what it takes to be a marine? When the
average person would be caught up in self-pity and anger, with every
right to be. I wish more people could share the experience of getting
to know what you people are really about. I had several people tell me
that they hoped to see me make it big with my music. Well as far as I'm
concerned I already have. What an Honor to be allowed the privilege to
sing before the Marines of the 3rd and 5th.
