European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Observation veterans Day too important to be forgotten today is veterans Day a Day set aside to remember the veterans who served in All american wars. But in a not thinking of world wars i and ii nor am i thinking about the korean conflict or the Vietnam War As most so often do on this Day of Honor. In a thinking about operation just cause which took place just 11 Short months ago in Panama and has seemed to have been forgotten just As fast As it was successfully completed. In particular though in a thinking about a fort Ord calif., a Light fighters from the 7th inf div Light who participated in the operation his name was William Delaney Gibbs a a Buffalo soldiers and infantryman assigned to Charlie co 4th in 17th inf. He was killed in the Early hours of the operation while trying to secure an area in the City of Colon located on the Northern end of the canal. He was promoted posthumously to the rank of sergeant. He was 22, and left a wife. I did no to know this Light fighter a in a embarrassed to say a even though he was my neighbor. We lived in the same apartment Complex we served in the same division. We both went Down to do our jobs. Most who participated lived. He died. He was one of Only a handful that paid the ultimate Price for Freedom. Because of the efforts of Gibbs and thousands of other soldiers sailors airmen and marines Panama was rid of a cruel dictator and the people of Panama were allowed to be led by a president they had freely elected. A corrupt police Force was Dis banned and replaced. Democracy was restored to the isthmus of Panama. You see there obviously Are no recollections for me a or any of the younger service members serving today a about How it was in Korea or How a a hot the Jungles were in Vietnam. No feelings about How it was during urgent fury in Grenada. But my thoughts of december 1989 Are vivid. From the time the soldiers flew out of Chilly Monterey Airport until touchdown in the Middle of the night under blackout conditions at steamy Howard a feelings of fear and uncertainty were commonplace. Once on the ground they were issued ammo and clips and told to a clock and from there they were taken to various Sites and began their Mission. They left a week before Christmas and some never got to finish shopping for their kids or even to say goodbye to their families. Some had to wait until january to wish them a merry Christmas. The Lucky ones came Back in late january. Gibbs came Back earlier. They came Back heroes. They came Back veterans. They saw some death some blood and a lot of anguish. Some came Back boastful but most of them returned older Wiser and More appreciative of their nation. Its funny How difficult it is to write about War and the veterans themselves. It s so glorious but so Damn personal. The people who have never seen the death and destruction of armed conflict can never really appreciate How awesome it is. The ones who have would rather forget. Perhaps that is Why we have this Holiday. Although it May be painful to remember the need to not forget outweighs any other feeling. That a Why tomorrow ill be thinking of that a Buffalo Soldier a while at the same Lime thankful for just being around to appreciate his sacrifice for our Down quickly before its too Lateran and Renee Peacock guest columnists in a word our life was chaos. As loony As any Asylum As cracked As any egg. We were forever running around like chickens with our Heads Cut off. But for reasons unknown to Man we enjoyed every minute of it. We were go getters movers shakers whatever you can associate with rapid movement. We both worked full time but that was just the tip of the iceberg. When the 5 of clock Bell sounded Jan grabbed his books and headed to College. I zipped across town to the real estate school. As the ombudsman of the boat i arrived Home to Start the phone tree plan the next kids party or stuff 150 envelopes with newsletters. We taught sunday school to toddlers coached Little league for pre teens wrote restaurant reviews for a travel Magazine and had guests for dinner at least twice a week. And last but certainly not least we took care of our two children. Between weekend outings and birthday parties we were forever grateful for such conveniences As the All night Stop a no go and any fast food Chain that delivered meals to your Doorstep. Unlike most maladies ours was a disease without a cure. For us there was no hot line to Call at 3 in the morning when we refused to put our work Down no pills to take that would diminish the symptoms. I know that there Are support groups for just about everything but there was no Way we could locate the one for our problems a we just did no to have the time. And besides we thrived on the Lack of wasted time the excitement of the Pace. With our next duty station however our go go lifestyle came to a screeching halt. The letters and warnings from our sponsors in Sardinia Italy did Little to prepare us. When i wrote telling of our Many interests the letter was greeted by chuckling on their part. You want what when Here slow Down we were warned this will be a Good Opportunity to enjoy your kids. Sardinia was definitely a Nice break a a sort of extended Holiday. For the first month we were euphoric a Blue skies Crystal Clear Waters Friendly people Good pasta freshly baked bread no smog. It was just As we envisioned for writing received such a Good response to its request for guest columns that a backlog has developed. If you Haven t seen your column yet please be patient if it is selected for publication it Wilt Heap caring soon. But just like vacation time there comes a Day when you ache to return to the work Force. You yearn to dive Back into the Hustle and Bustle that keeps the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing. We looked and looked and looked some More. That kind of activity just did no to exist Here. That is until tourist season. Then came August and with it we discovered a new Rush a revived urgency that had been missing from our lives too Long. Want to get a Quick Jolt of stress wait until 10 in the morning and try to wedge through the multitude at the Saremal line. Better yet try to get on that same ferry amid the tourists pushing and prodding one another. Or try to locate ice at noon or squeeze yourself elbows first of course trough the open air Market. Or just get behind the wheel of a car the possibilities Are endless sure this kind of stress is not work related and it May not give you that old Job Well done satisfaction but on the tension level it can be comparable. Then one Day our family went to the Fusta do la Maddalena at Piazza Garibaldi. I forever the Wori wart had this Hare brained idea that the ferry ready to depart was the last one of the evening. Hurling the children ahead of us Tike footballs Jan and i made a mad dash for the Landing. As we wormed our Way through hundreds of spectators observing the fireworks i heard a Man murmur very softly very calmly a piano Scnora piano slowly May am slowly a we made the ferry with minutes to spare but i could not get the Many a voice out of my mind. He was right. There is no need to Rush Here. In be been needing to slow Down for some time and it took a Complete stranger to make me Sec it. Rente and Jan Peacock live in la Maddalena. Sardinia where Jan is attached to the submarine tender 11,1990 sunday to plus c Page 3
