I Am a Veteran--or Am I???? Part 2 by greatmartin on Blogster

I remember very little about that evening or even who was in my platoon. We were sent out on a routine reconnaissance more to keep us busy than to do anything in particular. I was an 18 year old kid who was counting the days for my R & R in Kyoto. All I remember about that night was a fellow Marine being shot and then my facing a kid who had his rifle aimed at me. I didn't hesitate and immediately shot him before he shot me. All I can remember of that night is the face of a kid--probably my age--dying. I cried that night for my fellow Marine who died and the kid I killed.

The rationalization that it was 'him or me' banged in my head but it didn't help. MY life went on, his didn't.

I went to Kyoto for 10 days and mixed with the Japanese people staying by myself as my fellow Marines went on their way. Again, it is strange, but I only remember one other guy I served with but I don't remember his name--he was a very effeminate acting Southern .boy who was known for his prowess with the local 'whores', especially the madames. He had an offbeat name but it has completely escaped me!

I think it was 12-15 months later we were shipped back to Camp Pendleton. Making a long story short, one night the MPs came in, had me empty my locker, took some letters I had and a manuscript I had written and before I knew it I was in the stockade. What seems even faster than that I was standing outside the base with the UNDESIRABLE discharge in my hand and no longer a Marine.

It was a time when gays were being hounded out of the Armed Services--we had done our duty--the war was over--they didn't need us anymore. They would save a lot of money by getting rid of the gays--no VA benefits at all and no further obligation to us.

I don't regret serving my country, I just regret that my country let a young man down and tried in every which way to make him feel ashamed of himself--I wasn't.

So I guess, technically, I am not a vet but I know I am one though I would never, ever pick up a rifle and/or kill someone again--I know it was 'war' (or as it was called--a 'police action') but I wish there was someway I could find out the name of the boy I killed and though his parents are probably dead by now at least apologize to his family for a young life taken away from them.

I do think of, and see his face, every Veteran's Day.

8 comments on I Am a Veteran--or Am I???? Part 2

alfredo said 8 months ago
[SAD][SAD][SAD]Very sad on this.Hoping that some day something has to be done about this and do not see anything out there yet.
You were discharge for being gay,was this verbal or something else there.
How did they get the manuscript and papers there.What was the reason for them checking out your locker.Did someone whistle blower there?
This is very sad to hear about this.Did you ever try to do something about this?
[HEART][HEART][HEART][HEART]
greatmartin said 8 months ago
I blogged about the cause once--a guy I was seeing had a drug problem (I didn't know)--his place was raided and they found some letters I wrote him and turned it over to the Marines.
dragonflyby said 8 months ago
You may be denied benefits, but you are a Veteran, and you served honorably! Never be ashamed or question your status. I salute you, my friend. If we both weren't so damn old, I'd proudly serve beside you... assuming you can handle the thought of serving beside a woman. [HEART][HEART][SMILE]
greatmartin said 8 months ago
I was never ashamed and have always said I was a Marine!![THUMBUP]
I'd be proud to serve with and by you even if we couldn't make the hikes with a full backpack![LOL]
donnamg said 8 months ago
Martin, this is very personal to you and I will say to you personally that you were as much of a Marine as any other and are as much a veteran as any other. It's a disgrace what was done to you after you served and suffered the same heartbreaking events that others endure and risked your own life for the same country and causes that others have. You know you were a Marine and you did what you had to do and you can stand tall and proud because of it in spite of the knowledge of having to take a life and how you were dismissed in the end. Now, to end with something that generalizes this picture....it is more than about time that this stupid sexual orientation issue be brought to a close! As with all kinds of unfair discrimination that has and still reduces human beings to something less than equal, it is an inexcusable shameful practice of punishing people for what they are instead of recognizing them for who they are. Gays, blacks, Hispanics, illiterates, etc. have served, killed, died, and sacrificed....have protected, saved, and liberated. They are PEOPLE who did this, regardless of any race, creed, orientation, occupation, social standing, level of education, etc. that also were part of their make up. It's time to admit it America! It is not these "elements" that measure a person's worth or qualifications for the same basic rights as everyone else! We should be recognizing and honoring ALL veterans, not sweeping some under the rug or turning our backs on some because of some difference that don't make a difference at all!
greatmartin said 8 months ago
What's so crazy to me is that people who are willing to put their lives on the line for their country are so discriminated against--look at Blacks during WW2--and what gets me is that the discrimination comes from people who haven't served in the Armed Forces and have no idea what it is all about![MAD][SAD]
southwesterngrad said 8 months ago
Sorry, Martin! You got a bum rap you didn't deserve. You're an honorable man, irregardless of what the military said. [HEART][HEART]And a hero just like every other man who stared death in the face for his country.[HEART][HEART]
greatmartin said 8 months ago
I tend to look it as a bump in the road that led to my great life today--things may not have happened that did because of the 'extra' year I gained not serving.[THUMBUP]