Gentlemen don’t kiss and tell. And veterans don’t like to talk about their own service. So, when NeighborsGo asked me to write a column about my military service, my first thought was: I didn’t do anything special. I joined the Navy in 1977 to see the world. My greatest peril was on shore leave in exotic ports of call. 

If there were ever veterans who deserve recognition, it’s men like my 84-year-old father, L.D. Alvey, who served as a merchant marine in World War II. Growing up, Dad never talked about his service. But he recently told me, “I didn’t carry a gun. My job was to deliver the guns and supplies that our soldiers carried.”

For most of his life Dad was told he was not really a veteran, even though WW2 merchant mariners suffered the highest casualty rate of any U.S. armed service according to the U.S. Maritime Service Veterans organization: http://www.usmm.org. In 1988, Mariners were finally granted Veteran status, although they never received past due benefits. But you’ll be hard pressed to find a WW2 Mariner sitting around whining about their government.

My friend Adam Perry, a detective with the Richardson Police Department, also came to mind. Joining the U.S. Army as a behavioral science specialist in 1992, Perry served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Division controlling the border between Egypt and Israel. In 1996, he joined Richardson PD where he served as a training officer, recruiter, SWAT officer, honor guard, and was named “Rookie of the Year.” 

After 9-11, Perry re-enlisted in the Army Special Forces to pursue Al Qaeda in the mountains of Afghanistan.  While he faced mortal danger on a daily basis, don’t expect to find him perched on a bar stool telling war stories. After leaving the Army, Perry rejoined Richardson PD. Named “Detective of the Year” in 2008, Perry is a true hero who still puts his life on the line every day.

These are just two examples of the many honorable veterans I have known. They’re not looking for attention. They rarely even talk about their service. But you can easily spot them when the national anthem plays. Young or old, they will rise without hesitation and remove their hat without prompting. As they face Old Glory, you may spot a hint of a tear in their eye as they remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. A gentleman may not kiss and tell. But he also never forgets.

God bless all our veterans, and especially those serving today.