Frank's Thought for the Day

Thought for September 10, 2006: "It Don't Mean Nothin'. "

I'd told myself for so long after Vietnam, "It don't mean nothin'." And why? Because I really believed it didn't. I mean it didn't matter when my wife left me for another man. It didn't matter when the other soldiers after Vietnam, other NCO's and officers, told me I was useless. That my combat experience meant nothing anymore. It didn't mean anything when they told me I was an ancient relic that had no value.

Or did it???

It didn't seem to matter when I was called a baby killer by a fmaily member. Or when another family member told me that my war was a, "Boy Scout camp," compared to his. Neither did it matter when the media and the society in America as a whole made me feel like the "bad guy" for my part in the Vietnam War.

Or did it?

I wonder today, as I watch the young men and women come home from this war...how many are made to feel worthless; less than human because they've taken a life? Or perhaps because they don't have the "politically correct" job skill? I wonder if, and if they do, how many of these young warriors have nightmares? Or how many already do or one day will drink too much or dope too much, because they can no longer cope with the pressures of their own memories. In fact, I talk to my friend and his wife even now, who are one of this war's statistics at 1 in every 5 who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and think, "My god, that's like 2 or 3 time more than Nam."

Don't EVER try to tell me combat does not have a spiritual affect on the participants again.

You see, the military, in its infinite wisdom, was supposed to have gotten better at this problem too. But they didn't.

The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."

I've leared that the only way I can get through, get beyond, "It don't mean nothin," and realize, it did mean something, is when I turn to the Rock, the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, where I matter. Where once again I find purpose, peace, power, and potential for my life.

Won't you contact us at Cedar Valley Point Man and Home Front Ministries and let us walk with you through what God has for your life?

2006-09-10 07:39:39 GMT

Site Home


				Frank's Thought for the Day



				Inspirational thought for the day written by Frank Vozenilek for military personnel, veterans and their families.

				Thought for September 10, 2006: "It Don't Mean Nothin'. " I'd told myself for so long after Vietnam, "It don't mean nothin'." And why? Because I really believed it didn't. I mean it didn't matter when my wife left me for another man. It didn't matter when the other soldiers after Vietnam, other NCO's and officers, told me I was useless. That my combat experience meant nothing anymore. It didn't mean anything when they told me I was an ancient relic that had no value. *Or did it???* It didn't seem to matter when I was called a baby killer by a fmaily member. Or when another family member told me that my war was a, "Boy Scout camp," compared to his. Neither did it matter when the media and the society in America as a whole made me feel like the "bad guy" for my part in the Vietnam War. *Or did it? I wonder today, as I watch the young men and women come home from this war...how many are made to feel worthless; less than human because they've taken a life? Or perhaps because they don't have the "politically correct" job skill? I wonder if, and if they do, how many of these young warriors have nightmares? Or how many already do or one day will drink too much or dope too much, because they can no longer cope with the pressures of their own memories. In fact, I talk to my friend and his wife even now, who are one of this war's statistics at 1 in every 5 who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and think, "My god, that's like 2 or 3 time more than Nam." Don't EVER try to tell me combat does not have a spiritual affect on the participants again. You see, the military, in its infinite wisdom, was supposed to have gotten better at this problem too. But they didn't. The Bible says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." I've leared that the only way I can get through, get beyond, "It don't mean nothin," and realize, it did mean something, is when I turn to the Rock, the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, where I matter. Where once again I find purpose, peace, power, and potential for my life.* Won't you contact us at Cedar Valley Point Man and Home Front Ministries and let us walk with you through what God has for your life? 2006-09-10 07:39:39 GMT Site Home