This afternoon I watched as President Obama awarded The Medal of Honor to the wife of Leslie Sabo. Leslie died in 1969 during the Vietnam War. Why did it take so long for his widow to receive his overdue and well deserved Medal of Honor?
Well, the reason is because at the time of his death the family was told he died from a sniper shooting him while he was guarding an ammo dump. The truth was that at the time of his death he was in Cambodia and died from injuries as he gave his life to protect his fellow soldiers. Our Government lied to his family because at that time in 1969 we were being told we were not in Cambodia.
I lost several friends in that war and several later in the 70’s and 80’s due to that war. From an overdose of drugs where they became addicted while serving in Vietnam to the effects from Agent Orange. This is where you find the phrase unintended consequences.
So what should we take from all of this? Well, if everyone would lived by Rotary’s “4 Way Test”
Of the things we think, say or do
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
we would have no wars and we would all live in peace. Maybe someday my wish will come true, a Day When There Are No More Wars and we ALL live in Peace.
