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Happy Veterans’ Day
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I have spent this gloomy afternoon, the day before Veterans’ Day showing old family photos to my daughter. I spent a great deal of time telling her about the men I have known and admired, men who gave so much for the rest of us. Those unselfish few have made it possible for dads and daughters to spend many rainy afternoons together.
The wonder I saw in my daughter´s eyes as I told her the stories of these brave men, compelled me to tell everyone the stories of two veterans whom I have always revered. Though both men had different backgrounds and war experiences, both of them shared the same sense of responsibility and sacrifice.
Here are their stories…
Six years ago, this nation bid farewell to a great man, his name was Capt. Martin D. Greenwell USN (ret.) and I had the privilege of calling him my friend. Captain Greenwell served his country well during WWII, and the Korean War, as well as in the role of one of this nation's most ardent 'cold warriors'.
I came to know Martin Greenwell as my neighbor, when I was about 12 years old my parents bought the house next door. As the years went by and I grew into a young man, I would sit and listen intently to the Captain's accounts of his military career. One would think he was reading from a Tom Clancy novel, but the stories were real and so was he.
His naval career spanned 33 years, during that time he received the American Defense Medal, the Pacific/Asian Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal (5 stars), and two Navy Commendations. He even has a glacier named after him!
He flew rescue squadrons in the Pacific, during WWII; participated in the Inchon Invasion, during the Korean War; and became commanding officer of VX-6 Squadron for the U.S. Navy's "Operation Deep Freeze", in Antarctica. He also headed up the war plans group for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and served as U.S. Navy representative to NATO forces in Iceland. Despite such lofty credentials, Capt. Greenwell always had time for a friend and remained a humble hero.
He grew up in Kentucky and consequently, always retained a deep fondness for horses and good bourbon.
On November 19, 2003, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. As the raindrops fell, the band fell silent, and a lone bugler played Taps against a gray November sky. My eyes drifted between the solemn-faced young men who were carefully and precisely folding the flag which draped his coffin and the tombstones which surrounded his grave. As I read the names of the men and the wars in which they had given so much, I was overwhelmed and humbled by the very ground on which I stood.
As the Captain's flag was handed to his grieving niece, my eyes welled with tears. I was overcome with emotion, not just by the sadness of a lost friend, but because I knew that he was now safe and will forever be surrounded by heroes.
I am richer for having known him, he was the model of an officer and a gentleman. He will be sorely missed, though his presence will forever remain.
Farewell Captain.
Now, this day always reminds me of my great grandfather who was a WWI veteran. In the spring of 1918, George Benjamin Teabout enlisted in the Army in the tiny North Carolina town of Harrellsvile. He was then sent off for training and later joined the 106th Engineers of the 31st Infantry Division (also known as the Dixie Division because of the Southern recruits which filled the division´s ranks).
Benjamin (or "Benny") as everyone knew him, spent the late summer and fall of 1918 in the countries of Belgium and France, until a cease fire was declared in mid-November.
The back of my grandfather´s Army discharge papers list Pvt. Teabout´s character as "excellent." While the Army is often accused of fouling things up, the description of George Benjamin Teabout´s character is one thing the Army definitely got right.
After returning from the "war to end all wars," my grandfather went back to his job working on tugboats and eventually became a captain ( a title he would carry the rest of his long life). He relished his work on the water and enjoyed showing off his boat, and sharing his love for the water with his rather nervous granddaughter (my mom), as he would often have her beside him in the pilot house.
My grandfather died in 1976, he was 81 years old. I remember him for his love of new Buicks, his love for his country, and the tenderness and love he had for his family. He always had a smile on his face and was never too busy to listen.
George Benjamin Teabout exuded the kind of quiet dignity so often exhibited by the men of that generation. His Army discharge papers and WWI Victory Medal now hang above my desk, those artifacts and the memory of his gentle nature provide me with constant inspiration.
This Veterans' Day, please take a few moments to remember the sacrifices made by those brave souls who made the decision to wear this nation´s uniform. For those who are fortunate enough to still have them around, thank them and remind them that they will always be heroes.
To Capt. Greenwell and Pvt. Teabout…Happy Veterans´ Day and thank you.
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