Honda CB500-4, Morocco, 1971 Veterans Day is a good day to remember our vets, both here and gone. But so is any day. When we see a veteran wearing a ball cap or jacket commemorating his or her service, feel free to give a hello or take the time for a short conversation. Their service was important to them...and to all of us.
I once introduced myself to a old vet who was sitting alone in a cafe' booth in Longmont CO. Turns out he was part of the first wave of Marines to hit the beach in the Battle of Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. The fighting lasted more than two months and cost over 20,000 young American lives. I bought him his breakfast; it was the very least I could do. On another occasion I had the pleasure to meet a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, when, at midnight in July 1945, she took a fatal hit by a Japanese torpedo. Some 300 went down with the ship and of the 900 who went into the sea only 317 survived four days on the water — victims of dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks. No, freedom is not free.
As a young marine my story was much less interesting. As the Vietnam war wound down I was fortunate to find myself stationed in Morocco for 18 months. A group of us managed to procure a gaggle of new Hondas, Nortons and Triumphs. We toured the country and a buddy and I even ventured across the Straits of Gibraltar into Spain and France. I learned to ride in Morocco, and we had many adventures in this strange and unfamiliar land. Here's a short story about my time there. The values and ethics I learned in the Military have served me well all my adult life. I'm also grateful for the GI Bill, which helped me financially through college.
So, "thank you" to our vets, today and everyday.
I once introduced myself to a old vet who was sitting alone in a cafe' booth in Longmont CO. Turns out he was part of the first wave of Marines to hit the beach in the Battle of Okinawa on April 1st, 1945. The fighting lasted more than two months and cost over 20,000 young American lives. I bought him his breakfast; it was the very least I could do. On another occasion I had the pleasure to meet a survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, when, at midnight in July 1945, she took a fatal hit by a Japanese torpedo. Some 300 went down with the ship and of the 900 who went into the sea only 317 survived four days on the water — victims of dehydration, exposure, saltwater poisoning and shark attacks. No, freedom is not free.
As a young marine my story was much less interesting. As the Vietnam war wound down I was fortunate to find myself stationed in Morocco for 18 months. A group of us managed to procure a gaggle of new Hondas, Nortons and Triumphs. We toured the country and a buddy and I even ventured across the Straits of Gibraltar into Spain and France. I learned to ride in Morocco, and we had many adventures in this strange and unfamiliar land. Here's a short story about my time there. The values and ethics I learned in the Military have served me well all my adult life. I'm also grateful for the GI Bill, which helped me financially through college.
So, "thank you" to our vets, today and everyday.
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