My Hero Lived at Home

Kenneth Mortensen Vietnam Era

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the eleventh month in 1918 ended hostilities in “The Great War”

The day for many means an inconvenience of some government office being closed for them, making life just that more stressful or inconvenient. It’s easy to do honestly, I’m as guilty as the next. There’s no streamers, no banners of thanks to those that sacrificed of themselves to protect freedom.

A recent resurgence of patriotism after the terror attacks of 9/11 has brought a new awareness of our troops, and its a far different world than that of the late 60’s and early 70’s when our soldiers came home from that unpopular war. They came home to no marching band, no parade, they simply walked off an airplane to civilian life basically, right from combat.

I never understood this, cause growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, my Hero lived at home.

Kenneth Mortensen Pleiku 1967

My Dad served in Vietnam in the 18th Engineer Brigade near Pleiku, in combat. He served in Germany and in the State’s as well.

Yeah, Evel Knievel was cool, or the 6 Million Dollar Man was fun to watch, but to me, the real Hero lived at home.

America suffers with the scar of Vietnam, but for all that, many Vets from Vietnam suffer even more. They had just gone through one of the most emotionally intense times of their lives, seen some of the most horrible things, only to be rejected by their neighbor. My Hero was no different.

So after a few years of civilian life, the Iowa Army National Guard becomes his next stop in the military.

During his time there, my Hero fights the Cold War, fights to keep a home in the recession of the 80’s and fights that rejection and loss that still haunts him from his days of active service.

Just as any other hero has had happen, they get knocked down a few times, overcoming many setbacks. But as every hero does after catching their breath, they stand up, dust themselves off and get back to the fight. That is what makes them Heroes.

Dad retired from the National Guard in 1994, hanging up his uniform that he had worn with distinction in one way or another since 1967 when he first joined the Army.

Dale Mortensen WWII

My Dad had continued in the tradition of his family before him. My Grandpa had served during WWII and my Great Grandpa served during The Great War. This was the case on all sides of my family, and I am proud of them all. I have an Uncle that had served during the Vietnam era all the way to Desert Storm.

My wife’s father (Robert Allsup) served in Germany and Stateside during the Cold War. Her Grandfather (Melvin Silvers) served in Britain during WWII loading bombs. Family and friends that I stand in awe of, even today, because they put on now, or have put on the uniform of our Country.

I want to thank every Veteran for their service. It doesn’t matter if they saw combat or not, they are Hero’s. So today when you cross path’s with a Hero, shake their hand, pat them on the back and tell them thank you.

I want to say Thank You again to my Hero. Dad even today you astound me with your True Grit that even John Wayne would have had a hard time finding.