Veteran’s Day 2021
Hank Schrader, USMA '71
As always during the week of 11 November, I write about Veteran’s Day.
In the past, I have written about my family members and service to our nation, about the history of Veteran’s Day and my West Point Class of 1971’s many contributions to the defense of our country.
This time I plan to write about the common bond soldiers share, some misunderstandings about service in the military but most of all a tribute to our service men and women during my lifetime.
So, let’s explore together and learn about my thoughts and experiences of the military during my lifetime!
Service during the Vietnam War
When I entered the military at 17 at West Point, the war in Vietnam was increasingly more on the minds of Americans. We baby boomers were a restless lot, often represented by the rock music of the Summer of Love in 1967. I spent the summer of love at Beast Barracks, learning the way of becoming a cadet and soldier. I promise you, it was not a fun as many others of my age.
From 1968 on, the Vietnam War just tore the country apart. There were huge protest marches, some violent incidents and sadly, some of our citizens took out their frustration with our government’s problems on the active duty soldiers.
I often tell a story about my Mom’s experience in 1970. My Dad was the Commanding General of the 18th Engineer Brigade, as a one star general at that time, serving in Vietnam. It was his third combat tour, having already served during WW II and Korea. I was a cadet at West Point.
My Dad’s Command Photo during his service in Vietnam. He had been promoted to a Major General when this photo was taken.
Our next door neighbor, was a junior in college, and asked my Mom if she could let a bunch of her friends stay at our home for an upcoming weekend. Without thinking why they were visiting Liz, my Mom said sure. Later in the day, she called up Liz and asked why so many were coming to visit. They were there to protest the war in Vietnam. She politely explained to Liz her husband was deployed and at war.
This story is a microcosm of events of that era—neighbors didn’t have the same beliefs and the service members and their families often suffered. Some men wore wigs to hide their short hair. Others were spat upon, or had items thrown on them. Sometimes, service members were not permitted to wear their uniforms off base. It was a sad state of affairs.
Transition from 1973 to 1980
Slowly the war faded from memory and the news. By 1975, Vietnam was under Communist rule after North Vietnam fell. The draft ended. Gradually respect for the military returned but many questioned if all the loss of life of good soldiers was worth the effort in Vietnam.
We almost had to intervene in the Yom Kippur War in October of 1973 when Israel was attacked by Arab force (it was the 4th conflict between these two forces). Trust me, there was a plan but we didn’t have to go.
But even in these transitional times, the military regrouped and confronted our advisories in Korea, and Europe. Many soldiers stood watch at contested borders to ward off aggression of the Russians and North Korean forces. There were many miserable days and nights as they stood watch and most of our citizens have no idea what they went through. It is hard to comprehend for those living in comfort in the US.
Then the Iran Revolution of 1979 brought a significant change in the Middle East--the rise of Fundamentalism Islam rulers. 52 Americans were taken hostage and held until the 20 January Inauguration of our new President in 1981.
Suddenly, the military was important to our country. One of the plights of serving in the military is we are often ignored until trouble brews and then, like in the movies, we destroy our adversaries in a couple of days. It is a common misconception and not the real world. It is never as easy as you see in the movies. Sometimes you get the fear, the lack of sleep, and the harsh conditions but seldom is it like the dirty world soldiers fight, die and operate in during conflicts.
On 24 April 1980, the military attempted a rescue, known as Operation Eagle Claw, where one civilian and 8 service members died. Some of my class mates were part of that operation. This is the real world—a risky operation that didn’t work but courageously carried out by a combined combat force of our service members. This is the real world soldiers live in during their service.
The 1980s
By now, the services were growing stronger with the all-volunteer services. Units got better, equipment improved and doctrine was refined.
In one of the ultimate ironies, I was on the invasion list of Operation Just Cause, the invasion by the US of Panama to overthrow Noriega. Many of my classmates served in high ranking positions in the 7th ID (my unit), the 75th Rangers and the 82nd Airborne. I never deployed. So, what is the ironic fact—I was stationed 3 years in Panama and now I was going to invade a country I spent 3 years in the military!
Perhaps, no single event tells the story of that era like the fall of Berlin Wall. It was the symbolic end of the Cold War. I actually have a small concrete piece of the wall—not worth much money wise, but to me, it represents a lot. We did our job.
The bricks in this road was where the Berlin Wall once stood
The Service Ethos
Another misconception, we are not braggarts, who love to tell war stories. It is my opinion, that most serve with little fanfare, do their duty and don’t really expect any real recognition except by their peers, or during extraordinary bravery, a medal. To most, it is about their comrades and how they worked together, usually in harsh conditions, at the will of our civilian leaders.
Many combat veterans really don’t revel in telling war stories—they are proud of what they did, but also realize the sacrifice of war, as many of their buddies didn’t come home. They are not a number like you see on the news—they were people who had a family who will never be the same. These folks never forget these losses. You usually have to drag it out of them, as they prefer to not brag—it is a humble tribute to all for their collective efforts. Many don’t understand why their buddies died and they were spared.
It is also about the bond that few really get to experience and it is why so many prior service folks are instantly comfortable with other military folks—they don’t have to explain their experiences, or worry about the barracks humor or exposing their real feelings because the others understand—they often feel the same.
In the civilian world, they call it about protecting your friends back; in the military we call it protecting your 6—a reference to your 6 point of contact in a parachute landing, which is your butt! We often use a lot of jargon, foreign to others, but quite meaningful to us.
We often do revel in telling funny stories about how we were in the wrong uniform, or got lost during training and fixed it, or just learn to accept our fate in the harsh training of boot camp or Beast Barracks at West Point. Molding service members into a cohesive unit often requires bizarre events in the life of a new soldier and they are so strange and memorable that they become great stories, sometimes embellished a little for even a little more dramatic effect.
The 1990s to 2021
We won a huge victory in the 1991 Gulf War with a coalition of 28 nations. The majority of the forces were American, but it was also the rise of more fundamental unrest in what many in the military call the sand countries (primarily Iran and Afghanistan) after we toppled the regime in Iran. Suddenly, our country in mass seemed to respect our military.
On September 11, 2001, with the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, our country united and it lead to the invasion of Afghanistan.
By 2003, we were at war again in the Second Persian Gulf War, which was largely a British-American invasion of Iraq.
20 years later, it seems we finally are at peace after surges, countless deployments, and a lot of lost soldiers.
The cost to these soldiers has been horrific—according to a report in NPR, we have lost 7,057 service members who died during military operations since 9/11. During this same period, active duty and veterans of these conflicts have reached 4 times that number—it now stands at 30,177.
This is a real struggle and I don’t have a real solution but many organizations and government programs are trying to address this serious problem. Perhaps now you understand how stressful it is to serve in our nation’s military, especially at time of war.
My Final Thoughts
I hope in some small way I have communicated what it has been like in the military for the last 54 or so years.
As it has been said by others, we didn’t just read about history—we made it.
We protected our country, and obeyed the orders of our superiors and civilian leaders.
Most never sought much recognition—it is a quite pride of a job well done. Many suffered and still are suffering.
We should do more to help them.
Every time you enjoy the wonderful life most of us live in this country, our freedoms, our rights, and the chance for a better life, just remember someone, somewhere is standing watch to protect us. Many service members think it was and is an honor to serve our country.
On this Veteran’s Day, may we remember those who watch over us. We should be proud of our protectors—it is not an easy job.
We still have many problems to solve but that is what a democracy is all about—trying to reach a consensus. It is a messy process but you can feel assured about one thing—our armed forces are ready to protect us when needed.
I hope I have told their story in a way that will make you reflect on the true meaning of Veteran’s Day.
May we never forget to honor these brave men and women!
Maj (Ret.) Henry “Hank Carl Schrader, Jr
