10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

NOVEMBER 2007 TRUCKER TALK
THANKS TO OUR VETERANS
By Writers and Owner Operators Rod & Kim Grimm

Freedom is never free. How many times have you heard that statement and then just went on without really thinking about what it means? November 11th is Veteran’s Day and, unlike Memorial Day at the end of May, it doesn’t include a day off of work with pay and a three-day weekend, kicking off the summer fun, to observe it. But that doesn’t make it any less important.

Veteran’s Day is a day to honor the men and women who have served in the military and made it back home after doing so. Some come home unscathed, while others come home scarred with wounds you can (and more often cannot) see. But whether they were wounded or not, we should all say “thank you” to them for the service they gave and the sacrifices they made.

Freedom is never free. That’s right, there is a price to pay for our freedoms, and our veterans are the ones that have paid the tab. They do this so we can walk around free and do what we want. We get to say what we feel, worship who we choose and criticize whom ever we think needs it. Say what you want about war and politics – just remember that at some point a veteran fought to provide you the opportunity to do so.

As truckers, we have it pretty easy here, too. We fire up our comfortable truck, set the cruise control and drive across Nebraska with nothing to worry about except the 4-wheelers. Our Pre Pass gives us a green light to go past the Wyoming port without a hitch, and then on we go to California. Military truck drivers in Iraq don’t have it so easy. They truck on roads that are littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) set there by people who want to blow them up, and risk being ambushed everywhere they go. They are grateful for every safe trip they make and hope for the same the next time. It kind of makes our little complaints about some snow or a traffic backup seem petty, doesn’t it?

We have never been in the military, so it is hard for us to imagine what some of these people have seen and done – and will never be able to forget. I recently sat down and talked with a few truck drivers who are also veterans and discussed some of the issues they face. Many veterans do not even like to think, never mind talk, about their experiences. One veteran said that he can only talk to other veterans about it because they are the only ones who can say “I understand” and really mean it. But in the end, they all have to find their own way to cope with the memories.

One vet told me that I should visit a veteran’s hospital. “Be prepared to have your eyes opened,” he said. Some of these people who have served are later treated like cattle – take a number and wait, and then take another number and wait some more. Talking with a friend, she said that she had done that – visited a veteran’s hospital – and the things she saw were terrible. The maimed and the misery there was “so depressing” that she just couldn’t go back. But I still want to visit a veteran’s hospital. I can’t imagine or know how these people feel until I talk to them myself. But there will be a big difference for me – I can walk out and go home if I don’t like what I see. They might not have that option.

Many of the wounded veterans, who gave so much in their service, wish they too could just walk out and go home and leave it all behind them. But their lives have been permanently changed forever. Many of their former dreams will never be attainable because of all the things they can’t do now due to their injuries. Maybe we should all make it a point to visit one of these hospitals. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a bright spot in someone’s day and walk out of there with more appreciation of what these people have done for us? Go and tell them thank you! Hold a hand, listen to a story, shed some tears and be there for them – they were there for us! What a small sacrifice we can make, compared to the one they made for us.

One of the veterans talked to us about a young man from the Minneapolis area that had went to a veteran’s hospital to get help. They said he was “number 23” and that he had to wait. He left and then later came back only to be told the very same thing again. But he couldn’t wait – he committed suicide! He went, he served and then he needed help to deal with it – that seems fair. He deserved better than a number. Unfortunately, this young man is not the only veteran that survived his service abroad, only to come home and be lost later.

Talking with a Vietnam veteran, he said it is different today. When the troops come home, they are heroes. Back then, they were called nasty names and spit on! So many things are different now, but some things are the same. Vietnam was (and Iraq has become) an unpopular war. During the Vietnam War there were a lot of MIA’s and POW’s – that is not really happening in Iraq (thank God). Today, our military force has all volunteered for their service. Back then, there was a draft and folks were forced to go. Today, the soldiers are considered to be heroes by most Americans, and no matter how you feel about the war, you should still support the troops. It is okay to be sad and angry about the number of soldiers coming home in boxes, just don’t take it out on their fellow soldiers – they have enough to deal with already.

Today’s soldier can take advantage of amazing technology to help keep him/her feeling connected, even when far from home. Spouses can now e-mail pictures of kids growing up and late night phone calls to say “goodnight” and “I love you” are now possible. If you know someone who is serving, send them an e-mail, write them a letter or ship them a care package of goodies that soldiers might not get on a regular basis. If you don’t know anyone who is serving, ask people in your local area or contact a church or VFW. They might be able to give you information about programs that are available to help show your thanks and support. But most all, be sure to say thank you to every veteran that you know or meet this Veteran’s Day. You might be the only one that does, and don’t they at least deserve that? We think so!

In closing, I’d like to introduce a new column 10-4 will begin featuring in the near future. In August of 2006, I wrote about a young driver named Trevor Hardwick that writes amazing poetry and draws equally amazing pictures. This month we are including a poem in our article that Trevor wrote about our troops. It really hits home with this month’s message! And starting soon, Trevor’s poems and artwork will be featured regularly in 10-4 Magazine. We hope you enjoy this young man’s talent.

SMALL SCREEN HEROES
By Trevor Hardwick
I’m watching you on my TV,
You’ve never even heard of me.
Yet you still protect me day and night,
Regardless if I’m wrong or right.

I’m an American and you are too,
Doing what you’re trained to do.
The only difference in you and I,
If I were in your shoes I’d die.

You’re a hero and you keep me free,
You don’t know what that means to me.
But then again you probably do,
‘Cause someone did the same for you.

You’re out there and you’re kickin’ ass,
While I drive my car that guzzles gas.
Some bitch when they raise the price,
But they don’t consider your sacrifice.

You’re gone away from family,
To risk your life to keep us free.
And it’s not just for the USA,
The world needs your help today.

I hope you live another day,
To see your children grow and play.
But if you don’t, I hope they know,
You fought because you love them so.

America is shining through,
The red, the white, the royal blue.
And for the selfless things you do,
God saved a special place for you.