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National Homeland
"That's not your name! Who's Ronald Babcock? Did you know him? Are you related to him? Do you know his family?" No, I don't know him. I'm not related to him. I've never met him or his family. "Why do you care if you don't know him?"
Why do I care?
I grew up knowing my father served in the Army. May be more accurately, was "asked" to serve by his local draft board. Dad didn't burn his draft notice, he didn't run to Canada to hide. Dad did what a true American does, he answered his country's call, and reported for duty. One of my favorite childhood memories is of me sitting down eating this huge hamburger from Sonic®, with my Dad wearing his Army uniform sitting next to me. My Mom still has a picture of that somewhere. That's actually my earliest memory I have of my Dad being a soldier.
I would learn my Dad wasn't just a soldier, he is a Vietnam Veteran. At first, it really didn't matter to me. The older I got, the more I understood. My dad went to Vietnam and came home. By the time it was "all over", over 58,000 other military personnel that also went to Vietnam, didn't come home. With over 2,500 listed as a POW or MIA.
As I got older (and even now as I get older), I realized that means something. My Dad came home and went on with his life. Others didn't get a chance to go on with their lives; to get married, to have children, to grow old and gray. Brave men like Ronald Babcock. That eventually got me to thinking. I'm lucky. My Dad came home.
Why do I care? When our nation called, men and women answered that call, knowing they may put their lives at risk. Knowing they were going to make a sacrifice. Knowing that sacrifice may be their life. Men and women like Ronald Babcock and
Michael Scott Spiecher*;
Jessica Lynch* and
John Wheeler*;
Victor Apodaca* and
Lori Piestewa**. There are so many more. Since 1775, men and women have been willing give up their fortunes and their lives for this country. I care because they cared.
Now, for whatever reason, if I forget to wear my POW/MIA bracelet, those who know what it is and what it means to me, notice immediately. They ask, "Where's your bracelet?"
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Why do I care?
Orginally written August 1, 2002
Revised May 18, 2004
I started wearing my POW/MIA bracelet in 1998. It's often mistaken for a medical alert bracelet at first. Everyone wants to know what's wrong with me. Then, they read the name,
Ronald L. Babcock, then questions start.
When I "adopted" my POW/MIA, Ronald Babcock, in 1998 there were 2,097 missing in Southeast Asia. Currently, according to the Department of Defense, there are (as of May 4, 2004) 1,859 still missing. Why do I care? I'll give you over 58,000 reasons why I care. But, 1,859 of those reasons are still missing. 1,859 families still wondering what happened to their loved one. Some still hoping beyond hope that somehow, some way their missing loved one will come walking out from the jungle.
* Linked to The POW Network for information.
** Linked to The National Alliance of Families For the Return of America's Missing Servicemen for information about Lori Piestewa.
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