by Calvin Scott Bey

Created on: May 26, 2008

YOU HAVE TO BE ONE TO EXPLAIN IT

Volunteering for the Armed Services is a very proud and personal thing. It's rather hard to explain to those who have never had this experience. Something patriotic happens somewhere in the midst of boot camp or your first duty assignment, or for some in route to a combat zone or where you see the contrast of Americanism and World politics.

It could for some this deep abiding love of your home and family?. Some are just curious about adventure, or new unknown places, and faces. I volunteered for the Air Force in the year(1968) in a very intense time in the Viet Nam Conflict.

Truthfully it was a point of the lesser of two choices, induction, or volunteering, I chose the lesser. Then somehow in basic training at: Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio Texas, I felt this thing sort of creep up on me. In standing up straight and paying attention, and in the regiment of getting up at 5 O'Clock every morning.

I belonged to a flight of young men and we had a purpose and a common goal of graduation. I was suddenly set on a course of finishing something I started by rising my hand to God in a company of men: to defend this country against foreign and domestic enemies. I met people from different parts of America, and found we were different but common in our goals, and aspirations for the future.

We all came to love this country in a special way, a inner-view of oneself, and how we all fit into some sort of mix to protect this country, and insure the freedom of our loved ones back home. When I looked in the mirror I no longer saw a young man from Newark, New Jersey trying to find himself, but I now had a direction in life, and I was excited to find out how it all would work out. My parents looked at me with a pride, and my brothers and friends with a kind of curiosity. The Vail of serving is shrouded by the boots and polish and the the impressive uniforms, but for those who have served or are currently serving, these things only cover the the inner-pride of:WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO?.

When I look at a flag or hear our national anthem it stirred something quite unexplainable to me. I find myself watching movies with pride and shedding tears at the courage of our service personnel (past, and present). When I've had the good fortune to view a military parade, or see a demonstration of Air force Thunder birds in action, I just feel this special thing inside of me, and I'm glad I've served my nation.

I'm a American Veteran: of the Viet Nam Conflict, and

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