Philip Wade HuntCorporalA CO, 3RD BN, 47TH INF RGT, 9 INF DIV Army of the United States 20 August 1945 - 22 August 1968 Wright City, Missouri Panel 47W Line 028 |
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The database page for Philip Wade Hunt
Roses are red, |
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A boy died for me in Dinh Tuong today. I didn't know him and he didn't know me. But he died for me just the same. I learned about it when the six o'clock news cast showed him being carried off the battlefield by his buddies. He was going home at last, but not the way he dreamed of going. I watched the news cast as I ate a good hot meal, in my safe, comfortable home. The news was pretty much as usual, the war in Vietnam. College kids demonstrating against changes in the draft rules. Screaming and mugging for the camera. Teachers out on strike. After dinner I tuned in to a program on which a comedian wise cracks sourly about the way the war was going. And probably got more money than this boy in Dinh Tuong had been paid all the time he was in the service. Then I went to bed free from any fear that the house might be blown up by the enemy. The enemy was busy over in Vietnam. But I couldn't get this boy off my mind. I wondered if he had been frightened - of course he had, who wouldn't be? Had he hated this war as much as I hate it? Probably more. HE WAS IN IT ... But somehow those boys in the thick of it over there seem to understand more clearly than many of us just why they are there and the dreadful alternatives. How had he felt about these characters who are defying the government, calling our leaders murderers? Tearing up their draft cards and pulling down the AMERICAN FLAG? However he had felt HE HAD FOUGHT FOR THAT FLAG UNTIL HE WAS KILLED! It's too late now of course to try to thank this boy for what he did, but it is not too late to thank his buddies for what they are doing... But how do you thank someone for facing death for you? How do you reassure them that as long as men like them are willing to die for freedom, freedom is worth dying for? Even though it be abundantly used by the very ones who disdain to fight for it. So you hope that the boys over there realize that dissent is loud and gets attention. But gratitude is quiet and doesn't make the headlines... |
A memorial initiated by a friend,
Mary Christian
maryc_home@yahoo.com
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REMEMBERED
by his niece, |
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REMEMBERED
by a niece, |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend, Mary Christian maryc_home@yahoo.com 20 Sep 2002 |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 07/07/2005