by Chuck *Doc* Stewart
I met Gunny Fallon on the net in February of 1996 after he visited my
site and sent me an email message. Immediately we sparked a friendship
and not long after he was talking to me about his brainstorm of starting
OJC. I'm ashamed to admit that before this I rarely gave thought to our
brothers who were left behind and wasn't aware that there were so very
many. I guess I, like so many others, just took it for granted that our
government was doing or had done everything possible in bringing our
boys home. Gunny woke me up! I was amazed at some of what I was reading
in various places on the net. I just couldn't believe what I was
reading. Then Gunny filled me in about what his OJC idea was all about
and I immediately said "count me in".
OJC has grown by leaps and bounds since then and I'm proud to be a part
of this wonderful cause. I'm sorry to say that recently I have had to
step back and stay in the background due to health reasons but my spirit
is there with each and every one of you. We have had our ups and downs
just as any organization has but OJC is like the Energizer Bunny... it
just keeps going and going and going. Why? Because of it's members and
staff and because of what it represents. Before the internet became
popular there was very little way of people knowing just what the
POW/MIA issue was. Very few Americans (veterans included) were aware of
the fact that Big Brother had turned it's back on our boys and had just
left them behind as if they were a piece of equipment. Thanks to the
internet and OJC many eyes have been opened and many more hearts ache.
They ache for the men we left behind, they ache for the families of the
men we left behind and they ache because our very own government (one
which we have always trusted) just doesn't seem to care.
Through OJC I have met some very wonderful people. Far too many to list
here but you all know who you are. You are and will remain in my heart
forever as will all our POW/MIA's and their families. I still think that
patriotism is sadly lacking in this wonderful country of ours but
through all of you wonderful people of OJC, who selflessly give and give
of your precious time and energy, YOU are all slowly helping to bring
that precious commodity back into the lives of Americans. Much of my
faith in our fellow man has been restored thanks to all of you.
This Labor Day weekend as I proudly fly our nations colors as well as
the colors of our POW/MIA... I will say a prayer asking God to please
help in this cause and bring our boys home to their families who have
waited all these years. I will also reflect on the atrocities of war
(all wars) and I'll give thanks that I live in the good ol' United
States of America. And if anyone asks me what that black flag is that I
have flying, I'll invite them on my porch for a history lesson.
God Bless you all and remember that September 18th. is National POW/MIA
Recognition Day. Let's all pray to God that this is one of the last ones
this country ever has. Make your voices be heard in Washington... and
keep them echoing until every last one of our men is accounted for.
© Chuck "Doc" Stewart 1998
