Veteran: “I never imagined America could have the worst leader in the free world…”
Recently I attended a gun show near my home in Texas. It was nice to be among like-minded people who understand that the 2nd amendment is not just a suggestion. It was also frightening to be among the same kindred spirits who reiterate these radical thoughts that run through my head (and sometimes out my mouth) each day. Maybe I’m not crazy or a conspiracy theorist after all.
Each and every person I spoke with, from a female deputy sheriff in rural Arkansas to a former Cambodian POW, said the same thing …”Obama is the single worst thing that has ever happened to this country”.
I have a CHL and carry when and where permissible but always feel uncomfortable when flying and spending time in another city or town with no means of self-defense. I had read about stun guns but never thought it was the proper tool for me as they require contact to subdue a victim. And then I met a lady who carries one every day in the line of duty. After a several minute conversation with the deputy sheriff I referred to earlier, I decided to purchase a stun gun for personal protection. It is legal in checked luggage and the perfect size to fit in my purse. I was happy with my purchase and as I started to walk away she said, “This administration has caused the sale of personal protection device to increase exponentially. Americans don’t feel safe anymore. We can thank our President for that.”
The former POW seemed a gentle soul as he was sitting alone watching the hustle and bustle around him. I stopped to thank him for his service and we struck up a rather lengthy conversation. He told me, “Young lady, I killed 147 people during the Vietnam War and I never used a weapon. I was highly skilled and highly trained.” He went on to say that after he was captured he would cry out to God each day to save him. And then he would think that maybe he was being punished for the lives he had taken. He told me that is has taken him a lot of years to come to terms with what he did and that he has spent those years giving back to veterans. He spoke of the country he fought and suffered and almost died for. Then he spoke of America today. With tears in his eyes he said he fears for our country and our future and he hurts for the veterans of yesterday and today who are not getting the treatment and help they deserve.
He told me a story of a young soldier outside of Denver who he helped acquire a tracked wheel chair. The young man is a quadruple amputee who was injured in Afghanistan and is being denied veterans’ benefits for some obscure reason. He said his payment for what he does is the” smiles through the tears” on the faces of the soldiers and their families when he is able to provide a much needed item or service.
Then he looked me square in the eye and said “All the time in that Cambodian prison, when I lived through hell, and every day since as I have struggled to accept that I cannot change the past, every day that I have loved this country, I never imagined that my American could have the worst leader in the free world…like we have today”.
He was 76 and sat as we spoke. The time came when there was a pause in the conversation, as he had looked down to regain his composure, and it seemed it was time for me to walk away. I touched him gently on the hand and said “Sir, can I give you a hug?” He stood and gave me the biggest bear hug ever and said “thank you, for taking the time to remember our veterans”. I told him the thanks were all mine. I am proud to be “like-minded” with people such as these.
