Page 53 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2025 - Online Magazine

marine COrps | middle east

swimming around in any water that attached to a “small fire team”—a and decided not to re-enlist. He moved
might have sharks. sniper unit—to patrol and scan the to Lubbock where he spent two years
area. One night he was catching a in the Reserves, training all reserves
One exercise involved jumping into quick nap under some shrubs and from New Mexico to San Antonio on
the water several times, each time with was awakened with a hand over his infantry tactics. Later, he attended
more gear on, swimming to shore, mouth. It was his team leader making Lubbock Christian University where
and pulling the speedboat they’d sure he stayed quiet. The ground he obtained a bachelor’s degree in
jumped from all the way. Once on started shaking, and then two enemy Exercise Sport Science. Soon after
shore, they had to hide the boat and tanks trundled right past them. The graduation, he was hired as the
perform onshore drills. Night ops men stayed still and quiet for about 30 Wellness Coordinator at Carillon
were the same except that, at night, the minutes to make sure no one else was Senior Living, where he is committed
sky was black with millions of stars. coming. They were able to follow the to helping people improve their quality
The ocean is black, too, so there is no tank trail to locate their position and of life.
horizon to help with perspective. And then return to camp with their intel.
sharks don’t sleep. The fear nearly got Former President Ronald Reagan once
to him, but he forced himself to deal After Iraq Cesar was sent back to said: “Some people spend an entire
with it, finally realizing that his actions Australia for a short time, then back lifetime wondering if they made a
affected the entire team. to San Diego where he trained new difference. The Marines don’t have that
Marines coming in. By that time, he’d problem.” Cesar Ramos is still making
Cesar was deployed again to Iraq with been in the Marines for eight years, a difference.
a Quick Reaction Force, where he was

HONORING VETERANS
Ways to Honor Veterans, Soldiers,

and First Responders

Senior Care facilities always welcome visits from families in person, or ask the wait staff to pass on your token of
or individuals. Children are especially good at eliciting appreciation.
smiles.
Be present to send soldiers off or welcome veterans home
Teach your children to recognize active military, first at the airport.
responders, and veterans (by their uniforms or other
apparel) and that it is appropriate to thank them. Vietnam veterans especially appreciate hearing the words
You will be establishing the art of appreciation and “Welcome Home.”
acknowledgement of another’s sacrifices. Teach them to
say thank you in sign language. Pray for them. Often there are struggles that we can’t see,
but we can ask God to intervene on their behalf. Psalm 91
Record their stories - either by writing, or video recording. is called “The Soldier’s Psalm.”
The capture of a personality, the documentation of events,
and the journal of someone’s life history will become Volunteer to visit a home-bound veteran. A one-time
treasures to family, friends, and even future generations. social call will be appreciated, but ongoing visits could
give an elderly veteran something to look forward to.
Donate to veteran charities. Utilize fundraisers such as Consider volunteering for a hospice or other organization
the annual “Lemonade Day” or other activities. Volunteer that can provide you with adequate training.
with veteran support organizations.
Deliver baked goods and thank you notes to your local fire
Fly the flag! Offer to help aging veterans display their department or ambulance station or to a police officer you
flags if they need assistance. When a veteran dies, lower know.
flags to half-staff to show honor and respect.
Interview a veteran, write his/her story, and submit it to
Buy a cup of coffee or a meal for someone who has served Lubbock Senior Link magazine during the summer for the
or is serving our country or our community. Thank them annual fall veteran’s issue.

Lubbock Senior Link 53