When
called, Robert was ready and willing to be sent to a place far from home, not
only to assure aggression of this type would not reach our shores, but also to
liberate the people of this country called Vietnam.
The men that fought in
Vietnam are of the highest, "CHARACTER" of any men ever fielded in any war. Robert,
however went a step further, he volunteered to serve in one of the most dangerous
unit in this war. The famed "LONG RANGE RECONNAISSANCE PATROL". This type unit
was designed to insert small teams usually made up of four men deep in enemy held
territory ( their back yard ). The team's survival depended heavily on communications,
artillery, and gunships for support, without this many teams would have been killed
or captured.
The picture I get of Robert is he was a kind and gentle person
off mission, but on mission he stayed alert and was truly a team player, one that
would do what he had to to assure a successful mission and to get out safely when
it was over. Though his time in Vietnam was short, his personality, his work habits,
and dedication to his team, and unit, gained him the respect deserving of a Long
Range Reconnaissance Patrol member.
It is our duty as his brothers and all
that enjoy freedom at home and abroad to never forget Robert, and those like him.
His life giving blood was poured out in South Vietnam that they could live in
freedom, a freedom that still remains illusive to this day for these people. Robert
never died in vain, though it would appear so. Rather he as all who fought this
war have touched the conscience of our nation and others around the world. Our
military men and women of today are acknowledged, respected, loved, and supported
by the people and our government. The Vietnam war will always be a throne in the
side of this nation, and a staunch reminder of how not to treat the soldiers and
their families. Without men like Robert, the stock of our nation, I ask, would
we be living in freedom today?
Bob Smyers |
