Dear Butch, I know you remember that day well, 48 summers ago standing in the rice patty with my father as you heard the thud of a bullet hitting a body. Nanoseconds later you heard the rifle report and for a split second you and my father knew one of you had been hit, but was not sure which one. Unfortunately it was you. You never returned to the United States again, even though you made it through boot camp, became best friends with my Dad, and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. To die three days before your return home hardly seems fair. The Survivor Guilt is deep within my dad, even now, but he picked himself up by his boot laces and did well these past 48 years. He has used his medic training to save two lives, doing tracheotomies on the side of the road to save car accident victims. He also opened his home to hundreds of foster children, had three children of his own, and adopted six more. He has done some good despite the memories of Vietnam. The sad thing is, I will never know your real name. Dad never talks about Vietnam and it is too painful to ask what your real name is. Butch is all I will ever know. I have touched your name once though, on the wall in Washington, DC. I was too small to remember the name, but small enough so that I could be put on my Uncles shoulders and rub your name with chalk onto a piece of paper as Dad cried…really cried. I had never seen my Dad cry before, but of all the names…one name…your name…touched him the most. Despite 48 years of silence, one thing needs to be said. Not from my Dad, but from me Butch. Thanks for taking that bullet for my Dad. Written by LodgedTree; the son of a combat disabled Vietnam Veteran
God Bless those men.......and God bless you and your father, LodgedTree. God bless and keep all you vets close.
Sadly this is how heroes are made.. Let's hope wars can be eliminated so stories like this one become a thing of the past.. Can't imagine any person coming home from a war unchanged.. Very moving story..
LodgedTree, That was very moving and powerful to say the least! Sadly true for soooo many. My Brother, "now deceased" did three tours there, be glad you have someone who you can "Thank" along with God! My Brother would "NEVER" speak of it and let any feelings out. I was very lucky to have my three brothers return, but one of them only in a physical sense, he was never the same. If it's any consulation, that bullet wasn't meant for your Father. He may not see it that way, but God does... He has a purpose for everything. I pray for you and your family and maybe someday he will understand that. God Bless!
There is help for returning vets. Silence does not help. I know there are a lot of negative stories about the VA. I am here to tell you that the VA can and does help. Unfortunately the vet often reaches a point of being in crisis before seeking help. One of my friends committed suicide instead of getting help. The world is not the same when vets return home. How can it be when you consider what they are asked to do. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the vets, Not just the vet, but also their families. Thank you.
Excuse me but holy chit, that is the single best post I have ever read on a chainsaw site.... Sir my hat is off to you, and your very game father.... god bless the family of BUTCH!!!!!!!
I am truly sorry for the pain you have witnessed. As one that has defended this nation for my entire adult life, being deployed all over this world. Anyone that has been on both sides of a front sight. Will tell you a bullet is never wrong, it doesn’t miss, it follows its chosen path. No one can change this. It is unfair this has been placed on your fathers shoulders to bear. God bless Butch his job was to get his combat buddy home. God bless his sole and all those that have went before us, with us and those after us. RIP BROTHERS!
