Colors and stories.

[Andy54Hawken]

A field of blue...a fired musket...a wreath of oak leaves...
Bronze and Silver stars...Red , White and Blue ribbons. attached...
Silver Wings....
More ribbons with various colors...V's and more oak leaves....
Black and Gold Tab above a brilliant , vibrant patch...one with an Eagle , another with a Dragon...
Red and Black...an hourglass shape within a circle...his first....his last also Red and Black....Red Arrowhead...Black dagger...

These all tell a story.
A story of who did what ...and where.
Honor earned...Pride....fear and courage stand side by side , both sides of the same sword...
Knowledge gained...at times with a high cost...never to forgotten...
Experiences ..some made in mirth....others with tears...all shaping who he is to become....

Who I once was....who I am now...at the end of the day...it is all the same...yet once does not have to define now...but only if I let it.

Not all who serve tell the same story....but all who serve have a story..
Remember them who have the stores...and their stories.
Andy

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[red442joe]

Thank you.

Joe

 

[MTpockets]

Happy we still have You here Andy.

- Pockets

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Happy to be here.

My thread ain't for me or really about me...
It is meant to give a reminder for those stories and the people who have them....to be heard and not forgotten.

My story is mine...
However...many parts of it are shared with others....no part of my story is to be taken as being better ( or worse ) ....than any one else's story.
Andy

 

[Knobgoblin]

Bout 31 years i reckon.
Thanks for going.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Good morning all ,

I closed this thread last night , because I was concerned that it would appear to be a thread that was "all about me"...
As well as seemingly being a look at how cool I am kinda thing.

After some thought and a well written PM from a member....
I have re-opened this thread.

Please remember those who have served...take a moment and consider just what was done to earn those colorful ribbons and stories....
Add yours here if you wish....
That is all that I want from this thread.
Thank you.
Andy

 

[Provincial]

Those who have not served rarely know what those colors mean. They often know that the colors mean something, and less often that they mean what the wearer has done during their career.

Thank you for your very moving description of colors!

 

[MTpockets]

Throughout the year there are many anniversaries commemorated without fanfare, calendar entry, or holiday pay. Some gather Gold Star Families, others may bring a moment of silence during formation, and far more are quietly observed within the mind of an individual.

When I read Andy's post, it prompted me to revisit one of those anniversaries. I have no direct involvement with the missions in the following reflection.

Modern Warfare Institute - The Spear - Remembering the Battle of Mogadishu - Episodes 1 & 2

Podcast: The Spear – Remembering the Battle of Mogadishu - Modern War Institute

This month marks the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu. Award-winning journalist Mark Bowden’s book Black Hawk Down—and the movie by the same name—made the story of that battle […]

mwi.westpoint.edu