Ron's friends can get him to talk, but he is so introverted and shy that he is exceptionally averse to talking to strangers. When he stepped up to be a greeter at our church door I was astounded. But I began to understand when I saw that part of his responsibilities, of which he took upon himself, was to help the older people in and out of their cars. Ron loves old people. He loves to wheel the infirm in their wheelchairs, valet for them, and give his arm to the older ladies. But this job included greeting visitors as well, you know, strangers, and he told me one morning on our way to church that he has to pray for help from the Lord all the way to church to be able to do it.
Today is Memorial Day, our day to honor our veterans. Ronnie Dale served voluntarily in Viet Nam as a gunnery sergeant for a year and a half and spent his remaining six months in Alaska. He has spoken very little about his service. I know a few things that he endured, but most of what I know is about what his family put him through because of it and a few other odds and ends. I also know that when people call veterans heroes, Ronnie Dale says that the last thing he is, is a hero. He was just a soldier doing his job.
This morning we left the house early to do some grocery shopping. Ronnie Dale wore his cap that reads Viet Nam Veteran, US Army, which is his favorite. I have mentioned to him in the past that I think he wears it to get attention. Wherever we go when he wears it, people are always stopping to shake his hand and thank him for his service. He swears that he only likes it if the people are also veterans. But, he doesn't like to talk to strangers.
As I rounded the end of the juice aisle I saw him down by the checkout counters talking animatedly with an older couple about our age. He was smiling and really enjoying this conversation. When I got him to myself I smiled and needled him.
"No. You sure don't like talking to strangers." I laughed.
The gentleman was a veteran, and they were talking army talk, he told me. Then he stopped, put his hand on my arm and opened up in a way he hadn't before.
"I wear this cap because I deserve to be spoken to. I deserve to be thanked. I don't deserve to be spat on and called a baby killer. That's why I wear this cap."
I'm so glad that I, too, stop to thank every veteran and soldier that I see. I'm so glad that people have realized the error of their thinking and their behavior toward Viet Nam era vets coming home. Today's warriors come home to a more thankful and grateful America. What is sad is that even after all these years the cruel words still stick in Ronnie Dale's mind, and it still hurts. Yes, he deserved much better.
