Tran Pham

History 1700
Americans Patriotism
Americans are proud of their country for numerous beautiful landscaping, immense land,
and the world power of economy and military. No one can deny that American leaders has made
both good and bad decisions that significantly affect the world. They get involved in the
independence of many countries, some of which had the objective of invasion or colonization. In
contrast, they interfered in foreign affairs to maintain the peacefulness of the world. Since this
topic is out of the scope of this paper, Im just going to show you a small piece of it, a beautiful
heart of some American soldiers who devote their life for what is called patriotism.
Herbert Davis, a veteran served more than twenty years in the army agrees to share his
fascinating story.
Herbert was born and grew up in Frankfurt, Germany. At the age of 13, he came to South
Dakota with his stepfather, an American soldier. The feeling of responsibility to protect civilian,
patriotism, becoming a part of history, family tradition, life adventure, benefit, and acceptable
incomes were some of the most common reason to enlist for military. Herbert was not
exceptional. He was raised up in military tradition and most of the young men at his age chose to
serve for their nation. In October 1976, after graduating High School, Hebert signed in the army.
Recruiter training was the very first thing that every applicant went through. In this three months
period, they were taught basic things to become a soldier and challenged their endurance. They
acquired physical training, marching, wearing uniform, regulations, using almost all kinds of
weapon such as rifles, machine guns, pistols, and rickets.

With an excellent high school records and good performance on the first three months, he
was elected to take advanced training for seven months in satellite communication technology. It
was like a dream come truth for Herbert. He was able to growth along with technology. Handing
on most current invented technology is always his strongest desire. His job focused on military
communications including activities, equipment, techniques, and tactics in some of the most
hostile areas and in challenging environments in the battlefields, on land, underwater and also in
air. He was trained to operate satellite, antenna, and radio station. Radio functions by radiation of
electromagnetic signals through the atmosphere called waves. A transmitter transmits the wave
until it reaches a receiver. Antenna is a radio receiver that catches electromagnetic energy passing
by. People can choose to capture the frequency that they want.
Right after the training, he was sent to Germany, served there three years and went to
Texas. However, he didnt like the environment so he decided to go back Germany for another
three years. It was an honor that he served for President Reagent in the capital Washington D.C.
There was a big radio station in Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) that is located
next to the White House. The security in that building is very strict. No one can freely get in and
out without security guards supervision.
Unlike other occupation, in military service, if you dont do the job that you were
trained, you cant achieve higher rank. Herbert was trained to satisfy communication demands in
in the harsh environment, not staying home in safety and peace, so he went to Germany again.
He has been back and forth from The U.S. to Germany many times, which gave him the
opportunity to be fluent in two languages.
Feeling the full responsibility of a citizen, Hebert highly recommends American young
men to join the army at least three years to challenge themselves in harsh condition and get ready

to face the world. Living in a structural environment, he was told to obey the order, respect
hierarchy, and behave courteously. Every day, soldiers had to complete an hour of physical
activities such as running, push-up, sit-up since maintaining good condition was the requirement
to stay in the army. For those who were not in the good range, they were supposed to have three
months back in physical training emphasis. If one failed the test again, he was done with service.
The most memorable experience was when Herbert became a sergeant. For the first time
in his life, he controlled over 200 soldiers. He was proud of himself but also feel little nervous
because he has more responsibility. Dealing with 200 subordinates was not easy; it required the
ability to be a leader who can coordinate people, solve the problem and increase morale and
harmony within the unit.
He also went to other countries as assigned including South Korea, Italy, South Africa
(Honduras and Nicaragua), Central and South America. He participated in Somalia War for six
months because the communication unit needed a leader. He went to Panama as the request of
local residents to remove the power of Manuel Noriega, a military dictator and politician who
was addicted to drugs, committed drug trafficking and left the country unattended and in poverty.
Herbert stayed there for less than a month because Manuel was defeated pretty soon in 1989 by
American troops.
Hebert also participate in the Operational Desert Storm of The Gulf War I. Iran was in
conflict with Iraq in 1988. Iraq under the lead of Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in 1990 as he
accused Kuwait of siphoning crude oil along their border line. The other Arab countries such as
Saudi Arabia and Egypt asked United States and other Western countries for help. The Gulf War
began with the massive destruction Operation Desert Storm and the victory belonged to allied
coalition. Newest military technologies has been used such as Stealth bombers, Cruise missiles

which is a smart bombs with laser-guidance systems and infrared night-bombing equipment.
Every county has specific culture and social norms. He shared that in Arab countries where
Muslim is dominated, women are always in veil. No alcoholic beverage or pork is allowed to
serve for local people. American soldiers were really careful when interacting with local people
due to some security concerns.
Because of the residual of the wars Americans involved, they have military bases around
the world. North Korea, Vietnam, Russia, China are some major exceptions. America interfered
in the independence of many countries as a respond to request, governments interest, or against
Communism expansion. Conflict between American soldiers and the opponents was built up
uncontrollably. They hit us hard, they have to pay great price. In Vietnam War, American sent
supplies and troops to help South of Vietnam fight against the North government who had the
influence of the communism from Soviet Union and China. When the North attacked the South,
American soldiers actively involved and fought back. But as the war went on, it was getting
more and more intense. American government did make a mistake when they massacred
innocent villagers in the North. Hospital, school, village, residential areas were bombard target.
Americans back home protested unreasonable War with Vietnam since the casualties were too
high. Finally, the War stopped in 1975 and the victory belongs to the North of Vietnam. Both
countries suffered pain, profound grief and this loss could never be compensated. Heberts
stepfather came back from the war and he looked noticeably different. He was so depressed
because he contributed to the death of thousands unarmed people including elders, children,
women.
Killing, torturing, massacre and bloody deaths are the nature of war and definitely, it is
out of control of American soldiers. All the things that they are supposed to do was following

command of officers. They must accept the truth that if we dont kill enemies, theyll kill us. For
Herbert, war left him a pain that will haunt him for the rest of his life. He cant watch any war
movies since he left the army because it brings back terrified memories that he wants to forget.
We are human beings, we deserve the right to live happily with people that we love. It is
an inalienable right that no one can deprive it. No one has the power to do harm, suppress or kill
others unless they are subject against law and jurisdiction. The world will be at peace if there is
no hostility, no ego, and no greediness.
After many years in service, he was tired and decided to retire at the age of 39. However,
the passion of technology was still in his mind. He got a degree in technical computer network.
He got a job in Gateway Technology Company, then worked for the government as computer
programmer for 6 years. He couldnt work in the next three years because of serious medical
condition. Fortunately, he was recovered and recertified in computer technology at Salt Lake
Community College. At this age, he could have enjoyed life with family and had more self
time but he chose to chase down his technology dream, be a teacher and volunteer for Surplus
Department at school. He dedicates his entire life for Americans, inspiring them to do something
beneficial for themselves as well as contribute to the country.
Im very impressed because of his extensive knowledge in different fields especially in
the army, computer science and culture diversity. How amazing it was that he could learn while
serving for the country. On the other hand, I feel sorry for everything he and soldiers in the world
have been through during the war. Their life was set up just like a time bomb that could explode
anytime as triggered. Anyway, he was back, safe and sound with a strong attitude about
peacefulness and patriotism.