It's been written and said that America is free because of the brave who raise their right hand to protect and defend the Constitution at all cost.
For those who serve honorably they are often recognized and thanked for their service. But, there are times when that recognition and thanks is lost. And when that happens, America works diligently to correct that wrong.
On Oct. 30 retired Master Sgt. Vernon Rose received one such award--the Bronze Star with a "V" device for his actions on Jan. 22, 1968.
Like most adolescent boys growing up in the 1940s and '50s, Rose wanted to be a Soldier.
"I always wanted to be a Soldier, and every moment was good to me," said Rose.
When he joined the Missouri National Guard in 1951, the 15 year old wasn't old enough to serve. Instead of waiting, he lied about his age and had his father sign the contract for him. After serving in the Guard for a year, Rose decided he wanted to join the active component of the Army.
During this time many men and women didn't have a high school education. Rose only made it to the fourth grade and he could barely read or write.
Darlita Rose-Smith, Rose's daughter, said Francis, her late mother, taught her dad how to read and write. And by the time Rose retired he had an associate's degree.
"My mom taught him to read and write so he could make rank," she said, "You weren't going to make rank if you couldn't read and write."
Joining the military also helped Rose escape the abject poverty he endured during his childhood.
She noted that her father accomplished a lot during his career, like being part of the first graduating class at the Army's Ranger School in 1959.
When the first Ranger School class began there were more than 100 Soldiers. By the time it ended only 60 graduated. Rose said attending Ranger School was one of the highlights of his career because he was one of the few who made it through the difficult and grueling course.
"My mom said, 'you better not come back without that tab, don't go there and embarrass me,'" said Rose-Smith.
Rose pointed out that he was also part of what most would call an unknown event. Folks know of World War II and how it ended with the atomic bomb and most know the first test was conducted at the Trinity bomb site in central New Mexico July 16, 1945. But, Rose was also part of nuclear history when testing was done on an atomic bomb from January to July 1951.
Rose-Smith said the Soldiers who were near the site in Camp Desert, Nevada, had no idea how being at the camp would affect them later in life. In recent years her dad has battled various types of skin cancer and a tumor was removed from his forehead.
Rose said he is one of 15 Soldiers still living who witness the atomic bomb in Las Vegas.
"Truman was going to bomb North Korea and he asked for '100 dummies,'" Rose said. "I was one of the '100 dummies.' After the bomb went off I walked to ground zero."
By 1967 Rose was in Vietnam for his one and only tour. He pointed out that he was one of the most qualified Soldiers during his tour.
Rose-Smith said her dad's job in Vietnam was rescuing pilots and the log books they carried inside the helicopter after it was hit by enemy fire. She recalled Rose telling her a story about a downed helicopter. Rose, who was in E Troop, volunteered to assist another Soldier who was in A Troop after a Soldier who had been asked to help said, "No, I have a wife and three kids."
"Dad said, 'I have a wife and three kids too,'" Rose-Smith said about the conversation Rose had with his superior officer. "He went in and got the (pilot) and saved him."
Rose-Smith said her dad wasn't the kind of Soldier who worked for accolades. Rose would tell his daughter that his recognition came from having another Soldier hug him and simply say "thank you."
"The Soldier hugged my dad and said, 'Platoon Daddy, I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you--so thank you,'" Rose-Smith recalled about the day her dad saved a pilot after his helicopter had been shot down by the enemy.
"When that kid looks you in the eye you want to cry," Rose said about rescuing pilots. "No medals will take the place of that."
Rose said he was often called upon to rescue downed pilots.
"They would say, 'Platoon Daddy, you got to go get him,'" Rose said. "I loved it and I loved helping people."
Rose was also able to fulfill a promise he made to parents and spouses before he went to Vietnam--no one would be left behind.
During his final years in the Army, which were spent at Fort Knox, Rose worked in the Family Welcome Center and he would once again do what he had done throughout his military career--help Soldiers and Family members. He would also take some of the medical hold Soldiers out and treat them to a dinner at the steak house or other restaurants.
"When I first went to (Fort Knox) I was told, 'you probably will be here a year,'" Rose said about being stationed on Fort Knox. "I was there five years."
After 22 years in the Army, Rose retired and issues with his VA disability would lead him to his second career--an advocate for veterans.
Rose's first office was in the psych ward where he put in long hours as a tireless volunteer advocating for veterans and widows. His goal, Rose-Smith said, was to ensure veterans received the benefits that they were due.
"He helped so many widows on Fort Knox and Radcliff," Rose-Smith explained. "They didn't know what to do. He would give classes and he was on one of the first retirement councils. He would tell guys, 'you are entitled to this. Don't be too proud.'"
He had help in the form of a friend in Washington, D.C., who worked for Veterans Affairs who mailed Rose a book on how to word the paperwork for veterans. Without the correct wording a claim could be denied, said Rose-Smith.
Rose worked with Virgil Perryman and was influential in helping Kentucky veterans get disabled handicapped license plates, free fishing licenses and a tax-free military retirement check.
On Oct. 26, 1977, Rose received the inaugural "No Greater Love" award in Washington, D.C., which was attended by committee member Sen. Ted Kennedy, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, who was also recognized for the award and former baseball great and Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. The award paid tribute to Vietnam veterans who made significant contributions to their community.
His daughter said being one of the eight nominees and winners was quite an honor.
On Jan. 23, 2008, Rose received another honor from Congress when his name was added to the Congressional Record in volume 154.
Receiving the Bronze Star medal with the "V" device is life coming full circle for the little boy from Missouri who wanted to be a Soldier, help people and serve his country.
"For an old man of 83 I lived a good life," Rose said. "Vietnam was one of the best parts of my career … I would do it all over again. I'm satisfied with the life I've lived."
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