[March 8, 2026] General Satterfield, sir, I have been thinking a lot about our brave soldiers that we lost over the last few days in our newest war in Iran. The shock and terrible sadness these families are going thru. These feelings cannot be felt in the everyday American that has not just entered the world of a Gold Star Family.
Knocking or ringing a bell to tell us the worst words a family can hear. The knock on the door or the ringing of a doorbell is a much different sound than that of our mailman, Fed Ex driver delivering a package or a buddy coming over to see if we want to come out and have a catch with a baseball.
This sound from one or two strangers that show up to give us the very sad news that your family has just lost a loved one. The sound of the knock or the sound of the doorbell never goes away. You see General, that sound does eventually go away in the home, but it never goes away in the Gold Star Family’s mind and heart.
General, when I came home from Vietnam, I remember telling my Mom and Dad that I believe I would never see another War in my lifetime. Boy was I so wrong.
I just could not believe our families would ever allow another child to go off to war after witnessing how we treated our Vietnam Veterans when they came home.
Our treatment from our Country, State, City, VA, Colleges, citizens, employers and even some families and friends, will go down in our history books as maybe the biggest disrespect ever given to a soldier coming home from war.
I want to make one thing perfectly clear General; not all people were disrespectful. I remember a buddy of mine and myself got a free hop on a small plane coming to New Jersey from Red Stone Arsenal Alabama. We were on a two-week leave before going to Vietnam at 18 years old.
Misunderstanding my friend in Alabama that got us a free hop on a small plane that I thought was going to Moorestown New Jersey, ended up letting us out in Morris County New Jersey.
Standing on a dirt runway of this airport, in a place that did not look too familiar to us coming out of an airport hangar, this tall man, wearing overalls, carrying a wrench in his had said where are you boys going. He soon let us know we were three or four hours away from home.
This Great America right away eased our minds and made us feel very safe in his company. He called into the hanger to get one of his employees to drive us to the train station to get us home, back in Philadelphia.
This great American, a stranger, gave his card to his employee and said pay for Charlie and Joe’s train ticket. He also instructed his man to stay with us on the train platform and make sure we got on the train going home safe. He also gave us each $20.00 to buy lunch.
So General, whenever I get the horrible thoughts in my mind about how bad we were treated coming home, I always think of this stranger in work overalls. I often wonder if this guy with a wrench in his hand and grease on his face was also a visitor to that airport the same time, we got there. But the only plane I saw in the area was the one we got off of.
General, we lost some our best last weekend. We will never be able to replace their bravery. Sir, their families will never have them at the dinner table for another family dinner. Well Sir, they will be at the dinner table in the sad, very sad hearts of their loved ones. We just don’t have to have a chair for them at the table. They will be seated in the hearts of their loved ones.
So why General do we raise our arms to the sky. We take an oath and swear to God and country that we will die for our country. We did just like our brave soldiers did last weekend. We were a little luckier and came home.
General, I often wonder that when I raised my arm to the sky, did I nudge at God’s robe, and he heard my wish to watch over me. I don’t really know if that really happened, but I will tell you what I still believe 59 years later that he sent me an airplane mechanic with a wrench in his hand.
I often wonder if God owns a wrench.
Please keep all Veterans in your prayers and visit Morris County New Jersey the safest place in the world for Vietnam Veterans.
Good night, all
Joe
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This article by Joe Griffies is really touching and makes you think deeply about what the American flag and raising our arms really mean. It shares sad but true stories about Gold Star Families who feel forever hurt when they hear that knock at the door telling them a loved one died serving our country. He tells a cool story from his Vietnam days when a kind stranger with a wrench helped two young soldiers get home safely, which shows how good people can be. I like how he connects raising our arms during the anthem or pledge to swearing an oath to God and country, like reaching up to ask for protection. He wonders if God heard his prayer back then, maybe even using that helpful mechanic as an answer. It’s powerful when he says fallen soldiers stay alive in our hearts, not just at an empty dinner table. Overall, this article honors veterans, reminds us to pray for them, and makes me feel proud and grateful for our country’s brave people.
You da man, Joe!
👍👍👍👍👍
Mr. Griffies, please take my admiration as it is due. Your letters that you’ve written here for Gen. Satterfield’s audience are striking in the fact that you can “see” what others cannot. You see the hard truth, but also the greatness of our veterans. Please write more. I love each letter. I’ll also ask Gen. Satterfield to create a seperate tab to make it easier on us to read them all in one place. Welcome home. I salute you. 🫡
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This wonderful, heartfelt article by Vietnam veteran Joe Griffies masterfully captures the enduring pain of Gold Star Families and the profound symbolism of the military oath, blending personal anecdotes with outstanding patriotism. Through stories like the compassionate airplane mechanic, it restores faith in American kindness amid reflections on the mistreatment of returning soldiers, making it a tribute to all who serve. Ultimately, it inspires readers to honor veterans with prayers and remembrance, reinforcing why the flag and raised arms represent unbreakable devotion to country.
Winston, yes!! We always appreciate Joe Griffies thoughts.
Joe is a real patriot. Very few of them left after “we the people” have elected more retards in government.
WELCOME HOME
I always appreciate the “heart” in which Mr. Joe Griffies writes. Thank you, sir!!!!! I salute you. 🫡
Mr. Griffies, your heartfelt article captures the emotion of a Vietnam veteran’s lifelong reflections on sacrifice, loss, and unwavering patriotism amid recent tragedies in Iran. The contrast between the mistreatment of returning Vietnam vets and the simple, profound kindness of a stranger in Morris County, New Jersey, reminds me how acts of compassion can restore faith in America even during dark times. By linking the gesture of raising arms to the sky with the solemn military oath to God and country—essentially pledging one’s life—the piece explains it as both a spiritual reach toward divine protection and a tribute to those who have fulfilled that vow. The wrench-carrying mechanic anecdote, with its question of whether “God owns a wrench,” adds a touching layer of gratitude and hints at providence watching over service members. It’s moving to see the enduring pain of Gold Star Families acknowledged so sensitively, emphasizing that the knock at the door never truly fades from their hearts. Overall, this serves as a call to honor all veterans through prayer and remembrance, reinforcing why the flag and such gestures remain sacred symbols of devotion to our nation.
Well said, Bryan. :-))
Sir, you have a wonderful way of addressing such important things, and I salute you for it. Please keep publishing your articles here on Gen. Satterfield’s https://www.theleadermaker.com. We love it.+
Joe, thank you for your service, this article, and ……. Welcome Home.