Letters to Those in Active Service

By Michael Pectol

Sgt. Michael Pectol, http://277arty.tripod.com shares his thoughts with us on the importance of sharing our thoughts with those we have sent to defend us. Thanks for sharing, Mikie; and thanks for still being the one who looks after us all.

For a Soldier, Marine, Sailor....it answers the Question--"Why am I doing this!...Hell, the wind is cold, the food is lousy, especially with chopper dust blown into it, just as you were about to eat, etc.and a million other discomforts, not to mention the Danger. And does anybody care? Ah, I remember the e-mail from that guy old enough to be my father, the Vietnam Vet, or that WWII Vet, a hero in his own right, who took the time to let me know the Brotherhood I have joined appreciates me.The school classes of fine future American Soldiers, etc."

Every single little scrap of Motivation, Morale boosting...(War isn't good for Morale, or haven't you heard that one?)...is a
treasure beyond belief. I am sitting here trying not to cry remembering,probably the most important morale booster I got out of not many, when I was in Vietnam. A friend of one of the troops knew a 4th Grade Teacher who knew he was a good person. She told them about Vietnam, and etc. and they wanted to and did write and thank us. When I felt low, I could reach into my wallet and read the one they gave me to answer, and get an extra "Charge" of Morale=Energy to keep me keeping on!!! For our next charge! That was the future. The hope that if I did my job well, and the world "Smartened - Up" I was maybe having a hand in seeing that he would not have to do what I was doing.Trying to protect the future...deeply in doubt at the time, as now.

It is critical, critical, critical, that the morale of our fighting men be kept up!!! At as high a level as possible, and if possible not
allowed to sink, because no matter what anyone says,this new war has many many similarities to Vietnam! I can see them, the Viet Vets in my Veteran's Association can see them, and we know the Politicos can see them. And do you think our troops, our brightest, bravest, and strongest, cannot see it?

Morale is critical. Do not forget....many of those troops are the Vietnam Generation's Children,or Younger brothers, and sisters. We brought them up, gave them love for America, etc. even though many deserted us...that one letter still meant there was one ray of hope for SOMEDAY, and one ray of hope is all the American Soldier Needs to fulfill his mission.

DO NOT LET HIM/HER GO WITHOUT IT!!!

THINK ABOUT IT AMERICA! BE THERE FOR YOUR OWN; THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU

FOCUS

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