James J. Buckley: A Vietnam Soldier

Freedom, to me, is the ability to enjoy my life without living in constant fear. I can go to school, watch football, go to church, and do whatever else I truly want to do. We would not have this if we didn’t have our soldiers. They fight for us, and some even lay down their lives so that we can have freedom. One veteran in particular, who was very important to me, taught me the true meaning of freedom. The following paragraphs describe his struggles as a result of being a soldier fighting for freedom. James Jonathan Buckley was a young man, representing America in Vietnam. His job was to fly in a helicopter and retrieve wounded soldiers so they could be treated. This is what he set out to do the day that would change his life. It had started out like any other day, until his helicopter malfunctioned and came crashing down. Nobody was hurt, but the mental trauma would scar all the passengers, including James J. Buckley. …show more content…
He would wake up breathing heavily and vigorously sweating, or he would drink until he passed out. He knew something had to change, and so he went to counselors and gave up drinking. He started a family, and worked hard to protect them. Years later his children would give him seven beautiful grandchildren. Even years after the war, Mr. Buckley was still sacrificing so much. He was constantly giving to charities, and he would befriend anyone he met. After becoming very sick, he would still put on a huge grin when his grand babies would visit. In and out of nursing homes, he never let his pain show. His last days were spent with his family, before he was able to rest in peace. His whole life, my grandfather’s life, is what freedom means to me. He, and many other men and women fought for us so we could enjoy life. All of soldiers sacrificed so much so that America could be the land of the free. They make it the home of the