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Monday
Memorial Day 2004 10:32 PM ET EVANSVILLE, INDIANA (RLUO) - Today started out like most Memorial Day's over the last thirty-some years for me. I called my brothers from Iron Workers Local 103 and thanked them for their service to our country. Some were Veterans of the Vietnam War and some were not but all have served the country nonetheless. I also called some brothers that I served in the war with and thanked them for being there. Not so much for me but for my family and for my grandchildren. They were the guys that got me back home. I turned my thoughts to the grill and the oldies station, while my wife edited my first book. Man, it just don't get no better than that. Popasmoke Then the e-mail arrived that brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat that won't go away. I actually hope it never does altogether. The e-mail was from my old unit, called "Popasmoke." It is the Marine Helicopter Association that keeps us informed about our guys and what has become of us. This was not good news. It told me that Mike Clausen passed over last night at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas Texas. Mike was the only Enlisted Air Wing Marine to earn the Medal Of Honor in Vietnam on 31 January 1970. He was the Crew Chief that directed his Helicopter down into a minefield that held a platoon of Marines from being able to escape the reign of fire coming from a North Vietnamese patrol that had them cut off. Mike directed his pilot to land in an area that had been the site of several exploded mines and made six trips from the chopper under hostile fire to help load the 11 wounded marines into the safety of his helicopter. On one of these trips, another mine exploded and wounded three more and killed a Navy Corpsman. I will never forget him. He was my friend. This was his 2nd tour. An Act of Quiet Kindness Ross Perot didn't forget either. When he learned of this Marine turned Helicopter Mechanic's failing health and battle for his life, Perot sent his personal jet to bring Mike to the Baylor Medical Center. Mike was tended to by some of the best medical staff in the world, and Mr. Ross Perot paid the bill! This is the unity and patriotism that makes us strong as a nation. This is the selfless act of a Veteran helping another Brother Veteran without regard for what is in it for himself. Labor Unions Must Always Be Faithful This is also what our Unions are based on, the need to help a Brother or Sister when they are down. Believe me folks they are all around us and too often we would rather look the other way. We need to be highly vigilante to reach out to the underemployed and the suffering families that scrape together whatever they can and it is not enough. They work in humiliating situations for condescending employers that simply couldn't care less. My point is we as union members need to reach out and
embrace those that are down and exploited. It is not just about ourselves.
Semper Fidelis is not just a creed, it is a debt that we all share. As my
great-grandfather used to tell me there is a damn good reason we call it a
movement. He was an original member of the Workers of the World.
Organizing is our lifeline and we need to stay inspired. Reach out and
help.
Popasmoke: www.popasmoke.com |
