Others Should Share Joy Of Capt. O’Grady’s Story Letter Of The Week: From June 15

After all the good feelings that have come from Capt. Scott O’Grady’s rescue, it is sad that some people won’t allow themselves to share in the joy.

Retired Col. W.L. Brooks (Letters, June 14) is mad because no one applauded him for his heroics in Vietnam, and his anger is justified. My father served in the Marine Corps. in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts. No one ever threw him a parade or asked for an interview. We all know that the Vietnam vets never got the recognition and thanks they deserved. That’s why it was so heartwarming to see so many Vietnam veterans work together after Desert Storm to insure that the young men who served in the Persian Gulf got the hero’s welcome that they, themselves, never got.

These veterans realized an important truth: by celebrating others’ accomplishments, it in no way diminishes their own contributions of the past but rather passes the torch to the next generation of valiant patriots.

If Col. Brooks listened to any of the interviews given by Capt. O’Grady, he would know that the last thing O’Grady wants to be considered is a hero for simply doing his duty. He thanked not only God, but the survival school staff at Fairchild Air Force Base, the Marines and just about everyone else. He has been nothing but humble and grateful for the second chance he has gotten to live.

This senior officer could learn from this junior officer. Nikki Alley Spokane

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