Let me see if I can summarize my life over the last 36 hrs.
I made it a point to share in "real time" the events as they occurred on the 35th flight of "Central Missouri Honor Flight".
I have now been awake long enough to reflect back on our whirlwind tour.
I can not speak for other veterans in our group but for me it turned into a "life altering event"
I got the application to participate in an "Honor Flight" about 5 years ago but just wasn't sure I was ready so I delayed turning it in until earlier this year.
I know that God's timing is and always will be "perfect" and this experience was no exception to that "truth".
Before I could have never put my finger on what "my problem" was other than the experience of having served in Vietnam and all of the negative stuff that accompanied that experience.
This trip and finally facing some things that I absolutely dreaded brought me to a place of healing, something I did not even believe was possible.
I thought the past was just that "the past" and nothing could be done about that. Well that's only a partial truth, and reality is... there's no such thing as a "partial truth", it is either "truth" or it's a lie.
Looking back, I am now proud of the fact that I finally came face to face with "The Wall". While standing there feeling as if I was going to be overwhelmed by it..... a fellow veteran(a guardian from the "Red bus") came alongside me and we started a conversation that brought my truth to light. I had spent years feeling guilty for surviving while all of the men and women who belonged to names on this wall did not.
After having my eyes opened by a simple question from my new friend finally allowed me to see the "Wall" for what it was... a tribute to those veterans who had lost their lives in service to our country... I now know that not one of those whose name appears on the "Wall" would want me to feel badly for being able to stand there before them.
Life changing way of seeing and thinking about their monument.
I give God the thanks for His leading, timing, and healing.
I also thank all the veterans who were on this special trip and the Central Missouri Honor flight team.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Hunt hard - Hunt safe!!