“Because The Needs of the One . . . Outweigh the Needs of the Many”
I can’t really write anything meaningful about this. You’ll have to read the article yourselves.
If you choose read it – I’d recommend having a tissue or two handy.
Well done, all. Damn well done.
Category: Real Soldiers
I saw the piece about Lt. Vogt yesterday in the sidebar of the MT while there to read another article. I hardcopied it and made it required reading in my house. The comments in the MT are beautiful and the story itself is amazing. Strange, I guess, but Lt. Vogt’s journey did not make me well up with tears. Instead, it made me sit up straight in my chair and sit absolutely still for a while in silence.
Not strange, 2/17 Air Cav.
The story is IMO awe inspiring and moving. Different individuals simply react differently.
wow.
You guys remember Lt. Dan? He wanted to die in combat. Reading stories like Lt Vogt’s stir within me feelings of inadequacy. I get all Lt. Dan-ish. While I have no desire to have died in combat, stories like this make me face the facts: I really haven’t given much. Most of the time I can’t watch Iraq/A’stan-themed shows or movies. I still have not seen BlackHawk Down. Mostly because I’m a little…jealous? Not exactly the right word, but I see the sacrifices made and I think about MY what-ifs. I was separated after a MMRB, but maybe I shoulda grabbed my sack and toughed it out. I could have had the chance to do something really important. I could have stood the line with guys like Vogt. Rather than sit here, safe and fat in my little cubical surrounded by others whose day gets RUINED if we work late 15 minutes, I could have been part of something bigger.
Yesterday I was asked if I regret getting out – I’d have hit 21 years on this-coming 5 May. I told the guy I don’t regret; can’t do it. But the answer deep-down inside me rings true. Abso-f’ing-lutely. Is my life okay? Sure. I’m doing okay, and who knows what kinda job I’d get retiring as probably E7 or E8. But at least then I’d have known what it means to really give. Sorta sucks to think I might have wasted a chance to do something – to do MORE.
I sent this story to my veteran co-workers. All have read with a sense of awe. Thanks for posting.
I really have no words to describe what I feel after reading that. It’s not just the good LT who is keeping on with his life, but the description of the line of blood donors.
What I remember most about the military is the willingness to help. When one suffered, we all suffered, and I think that that is one thing that sets veterans apart from the rest of society. Shared sacrifice. Trust. Absolute trust.
Damn. I’m gonna go get some more joe so I don’t keep babbling here.
FourteenSierra. You like football? How many guys get to catch a winning pass? Right. One. How many members of a winning Super Bowl team get a ring? Right. All of them. How many heroes are there in the Lt. Vogt story? Some number over 500, I’d say. I’m guessing I don’t need to say more but, if I do, let me know, pal.
…wow…
@ AirCav – I know you’re speaking truth. Unfortunately what I ‘feel’ and what I ‘know’ sometimes do not speak the same language. I know I did what was asked of me. I know I signed up, the blank check. Still wish I could give more. that’s all. I want to die knowing I gave ‘everything’. Everything I could possibly give to the betterment of society and all that.
:beers: to you, though. Do appreciate it.
And…GoSeahawks!!! 😀
14Sierra, if you want to do something more, go to Helping Hospitalized Vets. They can always use volunteers.
http://hhv.org/
I read this story while riding my bike during my morning exercise routine….like most of the comments preceding mine I am in awe of the level of sacrifice and positive attitudes of men like this. When I read these stories I believe we have a core of individuals who are indeed capable of making our nation better with every breath they take. As any of you who read my posts know I am not enamored of our current society at large and those that sad sack society believe to be worthy of our adulation and attention. It is refreshing to see the Lt. Vogts of the nation, men and women who really understand the term “service” to the nation. I hope he runs for office, we can use some folks who believe as he does. I could think of very few men better suited. 14 Sierra, I think many of us feel that in the end we may be “measured and found wanting”….not necessarily a bad way to think. It keeps us motivated to do more in our communities now, and to send money, time, or both to groups that help our service men and women. I found some sense of community involvement through a program that provides competitive athletics to over 6,000 kids in Massachusetts. I am on the board of directors of the organization that keeps the league operational. I also have taken on a mentor role with young people looking to learn how to referee these competitions. And I send money to some other organizations to benefit our wounded. Is it the same as Lt. Vogt? of course not, it’s not even in the same universe. But it is an attempt to leave a better place than I found, and an attempt to positively impact some young people as they learn what competition really is, and what it takes to be successful at a high level. That’s all any of us can really do, make where we live better for our families and our neighbors, and teach our youth to work hard and be cooperative to succeed.… Read more »
14S, all of us have felt that way one time or another. I have done more than my share and got some fancy stuff to show off on my uniform, but it doesn’t replace the sinking feeling that I didn’t do enough, that I lost friends, that I should have done more, etc. I agree with Veritas, you have to hold your head high and say “I served” and try to live and suppport the current guys, and honor the older ones. We have to take care of our fellow Vets because God knows that the civilians aren’t going to.
14Sierra, you can also look into training service dogs. Disabled vets have a need for those.
Thanks guys. Coolest thing in my recent history – I deployed to Iraq as a DA Civ in 2011. While there talking with a Soldier, she asked if I deployed when I was a Soldier. When I told her I had not she took the patch off her shoulder and said “Well, D, here’s your combat patch, brother”.
I’ll strive to do more. To give more. Thanks for the link, PH2. If anyone needs anything from near-detroit (such as crime, snow, corruption, big labor, or a Coney Dog, etc) holler – and i’ll box it up for ya.
FourteeSierra, I fully understand your feeling. I retired as an E-7 with no combat experience. That’s not to say I haven’t straddled my fair share of explosives and IED’s or work with some Methyl-ethyl bad shit. But I ended up training a lot of young soldiers before they went. I retired because I was medically unable to deploy, no real use for me anymore. I do understand!
Whenever I consider if my time, or service, or efforts were of any value, if they ever truly measured up, I remind my self of John Milton’s poem “On His Blindness”. Milton questioned whether, being blind, he could ever be of any value to society or even unto God. The last line is perhaps the most famous “They also serve who stand and wait”. I’d say it’s apt here, so I’ve included it in this post:
John Milton. (1608–1674)
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
E’re half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide,
Lodg’d with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, least he returning chide,
Doth God exact day-labour, light deny’d,
I fondly ask; But patience to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best
Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best, his State
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’re Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and waite.
:beers: to ya, Detn8r; a close friend is AirForce EOD. I share an appreciation for stuff that goes Boom.
“Lord – Where do we get such men?”
14Sierra, we have plenty of crime, corruption, snow, labor disputes, etc. We also have Chicago-style dogs and Chicago pizza.
There are still some good things left in life.
Yep. A bunch of us us “get” the conflict, the feelings of inadequacy, the pride in doing what we did and being prepared to do more.
It was somewhat clarified for me after 9-11. I was in the ANG and immediately went to work. My friends at the time were mostly civilians and very frustrated that I knew what to do and did it. Being good friends, they were able to express (later) that they were jealous of that military mind set, and very proud to know someone who did not have to ponder what to do in response to the attack. As weird as it was, I took their thanks on behalf of all who served.
FourteenSierra, I know exactly what you mean. It’s the main thing that led me to start commenting here at all. I tried to get back in the reserves but a medical condition (that probably came from chemical exposure in Kuwait) kept me out. I ended up becoming a reserve law enforcement officer with my local agency. It’s probably saved my sanity. I don’t have a good answer beyond what others have suggested. If, like myself, you still want a “hands on” approach to serving, you can see if any nearby agencies take reserve/auxiliary LE or volunteer firefighters. Of course being near Detroit, I figure you could just start your own Mad Max/Road Warrior type militia and seize power for yourself. It’d probably be years before anyone outside of Detroit noticed.
Can’t add anything to what’s already been said.
Thanks for posting this, Brother. It’s set the tone for my day.
Charlie Mike
I read this story a while back, it’s always worth re-reading.
People like Nick Vogt, Brian Kolfage, and Taylor Morris are just amazing. Their positive attitude lightens my day.
The medical advances are amazing too. Even a few years ago, none of these men would be alive. That they can go on to live fulfilling lives is a testament to our medical personnel and researchers.
Nothing impresses me more than the way military folks take care of each other. You don’t get that in any other job.
There are no words. God bless them all.
What Tori said.
I got teared up (damn, it’s dusty in here!) reading about the 300+ men willing, ready and able to give and donate a pint of blood at an instant’s call. Willing to donate a vital part of themselves for an unknown brother-in-arm’s life and death need.