Fifty years ago the 173rd Airborne Brigade was ambushed while on patrol in the heart of Vietnam. Outnumbered six to one, 48 American soldiers lost their lives during the 24-hour battle. The date was Nov. 8, 1965. Country music duo Big and Rich wrote about it in their song 8th of November. It’s worth a watch this Veterans Day.
“On the 8th of November the angels were crying as they carried his brothers away. With the fire raining down and the hell all around there were few men left standing that day.”
As a result of his heroism during battle, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Lawrence Joel (1928 – 1984) became the first living black American to receive the Medal of Honor since the Spanish-American War, three wars and almost 100 years earlier. Despite being shot twice, Lawrence Joel “demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill” as he treated the wounded falling around him.
“Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky, 1965.”
Veterans Day hits close to home for those of us living in rural and small town America. One reason no doubt is because rural and small town Americans make up such a disproportionate share of our U.S. military. While only 19 percent of the U.S. population lives in a rural area, 30 percent of the Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) came from rural America and 36 percent of our veterans with a service-connected disability today live in rural America.
They are our family, our friends and neighbors. We see up close their sacrifice and the pride, worry, and hope of their loved ones who live nearby.
“Said goodbye to his mama as he left South Dakota to fight for the red white and blue. He was 19 and green with a new M-16, just doing what he had to do.”
A world without war would be so awesome, but sadly that’s not on the menu right now. Until it is, we honor those who serve so bravely and the loved ones that weep so that the rest of us get to stay safe.
“He remembers the fallen as he orders a tall one…”
The blood of the fallen runs through us all. We remember. With gratitude and hope.
Learn more about Diane by following her column here or visit American Rural at AmericanRural.org.