Feb 1968. 40 years ago! And on my way to Vietnam.
I was 23, a nurse for less than 3 years, and had joined the Army. I had also applied to the Peace Corps, but the Army got back to me first...hmm. It was a huge surprise to everyone who knew me.( the Peace Corp really was a better fit, and no one would have been surprised)
Now that 40 years have passed, along with any embarrassment, I will admit my first 2 reasons for joining: (1)adventure, (2) to get away and stay away from a man whom I had been with for 3 years. It worked well on both accounts, but in retrospect volunteering for Vietnam was a bit of an overkill! I don't think anyone can say that an event changed their life(like changed from what?), but I do wonder who I'd be if I hadn't gone. Did I mention my first 2 choices for the Peace Corp? Afghanistan and Ethiopia!(oh I can pick them) I pictured myself astride a beautiful black horse, riding through the mountains to reach my patients! (I read every Cherry Ames RN book published)
I've tried to blog before...and even choose this title quite awhile ago when I was upset about someones' spin on something. So this is my own spin on anything. My counterspin, antispin, prospin, libspin, neospin....
This is what jolted me enough to start writing :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTrMe76kes&feature=related
It grabbed me by the heart and took my breath away. It made me feel good to be an American.
I loved that feeling...it had been such a long time since I felt that way. I really wanted to stay in that moment and savoy it but I began to feel uncomfortable. I distracted myself; I was not about to give up that that red, white and blue glow!
I've received emails from several friends with links to this video, and saw it on my niece's blog.
But no one commented on it when they sent it......seems to fall into that category where words are inadequate to express what you feel when watching it but you want to share it. It seems to stand with those moments of great beauty,wonder, pain, disbelief; or of that time, watching the Memorial Day parade, when the sight of the veterans, and beat of the drums filled you with so many feelings all at once...pride, sadness, joy, love of country and family and friends, solidarity against all those who threaten us. When tears wheel up and we reach for someone's hand.
So a couple days have passed and this damn video keeps popping up on my computer, and then it's on Molly's blog and there's a comment! "One of my favorite commercials of all time."
I am like blown away! It's a commercial! By a beer maker! But I thought it was a tribute to our soldiers! I hate that it can be both! I hate giving up that glow! I feel deceived!
This is a commercial directed at those young(under aged?) men and women (who probably enjoy an occasional beer) to join the military. To enjoy that patriotic glow when they return home to the recognition and applause at their nearest airport!
Let's pray that the airport isn't Andrew's Air Force Base, where the returning heros can no longer feel, and all flights land in the dead of the night.
But there is another audience that this is directed at. Much larger and even more vital to the war effort...the American people. We are losing our patience and our patriotism too. Too many lies and distortions are eroding our trust in our leaders. We've been told that we are traitors to our country and murderers of our troops if we question the war. But that threat is wearing thin. So it's time to reach for the heart,as this commercial does. To remind us of what we will lose. That warm glow of patriotism I felt so briefly the other day,that came from knowing that we're the best, and dedicated to peace and justice, tolerance and generosity. We're right, we wear white hats, we care more than any other nation, race, or religion. Right?
