November 11th marks a day on the calendar that many people see as a late start for school or a day off work. To my family and me, the significance of this day goes beyond what society thinks. Veterans Day honors the service, dedication, and sacrifices of all soldiers, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Within my family, one relative served as a Navy pilot in World War II, four served different roles in the Vietnam War, and most recently, a close relative is preparing to leave for the Air Force. Veterans Day is not an excuse to miss class; it reminds me of the sacrifices my family has made to defend our country’s freedom.
My great-grandfather, Radley E. Clemens, was just 22 when he was drafted into the military. With the privilege of being in the Navy and flying an F6 Hellcat came great responsibility. During rounds one day, his plane was shot down by the Japanese over the Philippine islands. Paddling with his arms in the ocean, he swam towards a place to take cover while being shot at by the enemy. Philippine boaters nearby witnessed his plane falling and decided to give him aid. Swimming towards the Philippines, my great-grandfather was in good hands once he arrived. Their canoe took them back to an island where, over the span of the next four months, he would learn to adapt to living in secrecy.
As stated in the Hartford Daily Courant, Radley E. Clemens explains in an interview the Filipino guerrilla song taught to him during his time in the Philippines. “The war has begun/The army falls in line/Then come, Uncle Sam/Drive invaders from the land/We will fight to the end/To the last drop of our blood/And keep ‘em flying/Democracy will always win.”
The phrase repeated by Filipinos during World War II shows that Americans fight for democracy no matter what. That proves how dedicated soldiers are to their country, and their efforts are admired by nations outside of the U.S.
In addition to my great-grandfather’s story, my grandfather and his brothers were in the Army during the Vietnam War. My grandfather, Dwayne Lutz, was 19 when he was drafted into the United States Army. His twin brother was drafted on the same day; however, their father was having heart issues at the time. Given two setback dates, Dwayne and his twin brother, Dwight, ultimately left in August 1969. Dwayne and Dwight were the youngest of the brothers. Gerald (Jerry) is the oldest of the Lutz brothers, and ended up volunteering for the Army National Guard at the start of the war. Throughout the Vietnam War, he spent most of his time as a cook and spent his weekends at a base in Ashland, just 20 minutes west of Louisville.
Gordon, the middle (ish) child, was drafted into the Army and was sent overseas as a medic. He sometimes sought combat, but was often stationed away from heavy war zones. Dwight does not talk about his experiences in the Vietnam War often; however, he was drafted overseas and in Vietnam.
My grandfather, Dwayne, was a VIP driver across the United States. On Dwayne’s way back home after his basic training, he ended up in a life-threatening moment. Flying home from Missouri, his flight took off on a foggy morning, which was the recipe for disaster. Throughout his flight, he looked out the window to his right and saw that something was off with the engine. He gestured to a man across the plane to ask if something was wrong with his side of the engine as well. Together, they concluded that there would be further consequences for the plane errors.
Dwayne stated, “They [plane pilot and co-pilot] never told you ‘say your prayers boys, we’re going down’- we kept losing altitude.” Their plane landed in Elden, Missouri, in a valley with many cows and crops nearby. In the end, there were no casualties, and the men on the flight received help from local farmers to receive transport to an airport nearby. After the crash, my grandfather briefly returned home before being given his next assignment.
Towards the end of the Vietnam War, peace movements were huge across the United States. The movements during the 70s and throughout the Vietnam War led to a gap in society and a lack of respect towards soldiers. My grandfather describes airports or public transportation as people keeping their distance and not giving respect to those serving at the time. Despite the controversy across the country, my grandpa and great uncles remain proud of the country they served.
Most recently, my brother Cody has enlisted in the United States Air Force. After graduating in 2025, he plans to join the SERE program and eventually find a career pathway.
Overall, my family has held many ties to the military. For me, knowing what my family has given to our country reminds me to be especially grateful on Veterans Day. Although my family has not made the ultimate sacrifice, the millions of lives lost to protect our freedom deserve recognition. By reflecting on the pride I feel toward my family, I understand the feeling of pride and respect that honors those who have given their lives for our peace.