Thoughts that followed this Vietnam veteran home

Of all the bizarre things said to me on the battlefield, it came from a 2nd lieutenant who reviewed my plan for an assignment. Perhaps his training told him to speak only of victory, regardless of a greater chance of failure.

When all was said and done, he said, “See you tomorrow. I’m counting on you and the team.”

See us tomorrow? It was a 50/50 chance at best. And that he was counting on us? What was that supposed to mean?

We were heading into the belly of the beast with little chance of success, and if we succeeded, it was certainly not because we thought of advancing for his benefit. There was nothing to answer such. A Marine or 1st Cav captain would have never said anything like that.

My commanding officer always ended the instructions, “Do your best, stay safe, and come back to us. You’re worth more alive than dead.” Indeed. And that was what I always thought it meant to be a leader.

Jerry Glazer — Vietnam Uncensored

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