Remembering the plunge before the sacrifice

If we wanted to move forward, we needed to prepare for a non-existent future.

The Special Forces drill sergeant often repeated, “Nothing was impossible with the right attitude and armaments.”

I will admit his words rang true on the battlefields of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Everything began with meticulous preparation to enter the next day. Then, finally, the misty twilight rose above the sleepy jungle, and we stared into a grey sky blanched in oranges, purples, blues, greys, and whites.

The bodies of the crew made waking sounds as the dense vegetation came alive with a million insect and animal noises.

No fires or smoke to give us away or clanking sounds of metal on metal. We chewed on beef jerky, swallowed a few bennies, and girded our straps and weapons.

Next, we knelt to take our daily oath. “I solemnly swear I will hold the line, leave no brother behind….” Then we took a deep breath to hold down the anxiety and focused on the image of the man in front of us.

Jerry Glazer — Vietnam Uncensored

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