06-09-2013, 11:29 PM
[font "Calibri"]The weather was made for fishing. Warm, blue skies and no wind. The boat had five veterans aboard as we left the boat harbor on Utah Lake. They were all combat hardened; two from Vietnam. One served two tours with the 1st marines, the other Army airborne with hundreds of jumps. Another was Navy from Vietnam while the other two represented the Marine Corp and his brother in combat served in the Army; both having been in Iraq and Afghanistan. The common denominator was that they have shared a similar experience; they have seen the horror of battle.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]They have not only paid a great price for the country, but their families have as well. When you serve in battle you are not the same person you were when you return and many do not and cannot relate to those around them. Today they joined together for a day of relaxing with those who understand the demons that haunt them.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]I was proud to be in their company.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]The fishing was great and their laughter contagious. Each branch of the service scorned and joked about the other and the barbs were returned as easily. When men join the military they learn to trust one another with their very lives. In the face of death they are with their brothers, some which did not return and others were scarred, but in life and in death they are brothers and when they join together, as they did today, there is a certain therapy and peace. I cannot explain it or even begin to understand it, but I have seen it many times aboard this boat and each time it has touched be deeply and I am honored to know these men and women who have served our flag so valiantly. Semper Fidelis [/font]
[font "Calibri"][url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/"]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/url][/font]
[font "Calibri"][/font]
[font "Calibri"]They have not only paid a great price for the country, but their families have as well. When you serve in battle you are not the same person you were when you return and many do not and cannot relate to those around them. Today they joined together for a day of relaxing with those who understand the demons that haunt them.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]I was proud to be in their company.[/font]
[font "Calibri"]The fishing was great and their laughter contagious. Each branch of the service scorned and joked about the other and the barbs were returned as easily. When men join the military they learn to trust one another with their very lives. In the face of death they are with their brothers, some which did not return and others were scarred, but in life and in death they are brothers and when they join together, as they did today, there is a certain therapy and peace. I cannot explain it or even begin to understand it, but I have seen it many times aboard this boat and each time it has touched be deeply and I am honored to know these men and women who have served our flag so valiantly. Semper Fidelis [/font]
[font "Calibri"][url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/"]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/url][/font]
[font "Calibri"][/font]