I have over the years have written a number of letters in support of our men and women in uniform and have received a number of comments of my support for their service. There are many who have served our country and many still serving.
Some of these brave souls have returned missing arms, legs, sight and in bad mental shape and that I feel is most sad indeed. But their service is what makes America safe for freedom and democracy.
As for myself I had served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era aboard the U.S.S. Leahy DLG 16 and was a guided missile destroyer.
This part of my life was one of the proudest times of my life. I felt I was serving the greater good and preserving democracy in the free world.
Those who have written me in the past have served under great personal peril and were in combat and who were injured in the line of duty. In my view to serve one’s country requires great sacrifice, courage and commitment to the nation. To serve one’s country is also a great responsibility and means to leave family, friends and what they hold most dear. Also while in the military there are those personal relationships, whose memory stick with you your entire life.
In the military you depend upon one another for that day would come where you could save another’s life and that other person could save yours. In the military people come from many walks of life, cultures, religious backgrounds and from different parts of this great nation of ours.
But I think the binding thread is the belief that we are doing something important.
While I was in the Navy there was this slogan,” The Navy is just not a job but an adventure.”
Well that is not only true about the Navy but also the Army, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard. For those who serve are the guardians of the nation.
To those I have served with let me give a shout out to Roger, Richie, Glenn, and Jerry who I have not seen in decades.
Now to all those who are serving may God bless you for your commitment to a nation that salutes you as sons and daughters of freedom.
I would be amiss if I didn’t mention here in Nassau County that at Eisenhower Park has a concert series and that Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano before the concert begins honors all of our service men and women for a job well done.
Now for that I say,” Thank you Edward Mangano for recognizing those who have made our nation great and free from tyranny.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
