Andy Hefty

Veterans’ Day is approaching. I don’t much care for parades. I didn’t do anything to deserve being in one. I just served my country with pride, honor and dignity.

I don’t need a congressman dredging my name up in a futile attempt to score political points toward his lofty goal of proving how worthy he is of someone’s votes. I simply did my job to the best of my abilities, collected a meager paycheck and brought my weary body home for some rest.

These Colors Never Run!

I don’t want medals. I didn’t serve in combat. I saved no lives. I merely strove to keep the airplanes in my squadron aloft with safety and readiness in mind. I loaded bombs and rockets, missiles and guns, chaff and flares on the now-defunct F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. I maintained weapons systems for our pilots, some of whom were younger than the airplanes themselves. All so these men could be fully prepared for whatever would happen.

I didn’t “sacrifice all,” as others have. By reading this, you know I am still alive and well. I gave up a trifle eight years of my youth in a time of relative peace. The most I sacrificed was some of my hearing, much to my wife’s chagrin. Those jets got loud! I’m not going to hang out at the VA, waiting for someone else to pay for my hearing aids. I’ll get those myself. Leave the benefits to someone who took shrapnel in the knee or lost a limb or the ability to stand and walk.

Sure, it was fun. And I’d do it all over again if called upon. There were times of good along with the not-so-good. I remember standing on a flight line in Hawaii after launching our entire squadron’s worth of fighter jets – three times – thinking, “Life in paradise is pretty good.” I also recall spending my first wedding anniversary in Japan, where it was cold, windy and lonely.

My wife and my two oldest children (who were born while I was active duty) sacrificed as much as I did, giving up time with Husband/Daddy while he got greasy, dirty, sweaty, and tired working 12 to 15 hours a day, and sometimes even longer.

But it was worth it, and I’d do it again if ever called upon.

I’m no hero. I’m just a veteran. If anything, I helped the Marine Corps keep themselves ready for what was to happen next. Just a few short months after leaving the Corps, a certain dictator invaded a neighboring country, and the United States was called into action. Those who followed since have proven themselves more than worthy. I suppose I can say I had a small part in it.

I honorably served. I proudly carry the title Former Sergeant of Marines. I stand tall and salute when the flag passes. I shake the hands of those currently serving, wishing them well on their way to protect us. I share a “war story” or two, which by comparison are rather boring. But I belong to a group of men and women who stretch across over 200 years’ time.

That group of people who can proudly say, “I did my part. Now what about you?”

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