A new appreciation

To the editor:
    In November the Houlton Pioneer office asked me to photograph two men for their “2008: Tribute to our Veterans”. They were World War II veterans. I knew one man, Hubert Furrow. The man from Monticello, Chester Nickerson, was a new acquaintance.
    When I went to take their pictures, I ended up spending almost two hours with them. They are two awesome men. I left there that day with a whole new appreciation for the men and women who have served, and are now serving, our great nation. I left there with not just head knowledge, but heart knowledge of our heroes. After that meeting, I would feel emotion and sentiment well up in me if I even saw a veteran license plate. If I saw the owner of one of those plates, I would sincerely say thanks.
    This month, the December 3rd front-page article, “Weekly clinic drawing veterans”, was brought to my attention. I have read and reread Dr. Ronald Welch’s statement; “You wouldn’t think WWII vets would be suffering,” stated Welch, “but once these guys retire, and have time to think, that’s when it all comes rushing back to them. In some cases, the PTSD shows up right away, and in others it takes years for it to surface.” I just can’t grasp or get a grip on that statement. You should not minimize or cannot imagine what these men went through. I would most certainly think WWII veterans would indeed be suffering, and not just “once they retire and have time to think.”
    These men crawled on their bellies in mud, mud and blood. They saw death and hopelessness all around them. One was bayoneted. They never knew if they would live to see family again or the war end. They never knew if their dreams would be realized. One was a POW. They never knew …  I most certainly think WWII veterans would indeed be suffering, and not just “once they retire and have time to think.”
    They and their families can tell you it didn’t “all come rushing back.” They couldn’t talk about it for a long time, but it was with them in nightmares and the daytime. Life was different for them all in many ways. Oh, I most certainly would think WWII veterans would indeed be suffering.
    Known as the greatest generation, the men and women who served abroad and on the homefront during this difficult time endured many hardships in defense of America’s freedom. Tell them “thank you”, shake their hand, hug them and appreciate them like never before.
Bonnie Pratt
Oakfield