My Grandpa: A Hero

The United States Marine Corps. Vietnam 1970's. My Grandpa was a Marine. He served during the 1970's. He was in Vietnam. For a short time, he lived by six rules. These were the Military Code of Conduct. Article I: I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
  Article II: I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the member of my command while they still have the means to resist.
  Article III: If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape, and to aid others to escape. I will except neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
  Article IV: If I become a prisoner of war I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.
  Article V: When questioned, if I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give, name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to my utmost ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
  Article VI: I will NEVER forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
  The saying goes, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." The Marine Corps Battle Hymn is a most familiar song to those ears of vets. I goes like this:

To the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli
We fight our countries battles in the air, on the land, and in the sea
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine

Our flags unfurled in every breeze, from dawn and setting sun
We've fought in every dime and place where we could take a gun
In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes
You will always find us on the job, The United States Marines

Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve
If the Army and Navy ever look on heaven's scenes
They will find the streets are guarded by the United States Marines

My grandpa was a ground support mechanic. He helped keep Phantoms in the air. He spent four years in the Marine Corps. It helped him make him who he is today. He did his part for Uncle Sam. They didn't get put over by choice, when they came back, they found that their country didn't want them back. He isn't sorry what he's done and he is proud of who he is. He couldn't be more proud to be a vet. He says that everyone shakes everyone's hand now a days. He is glad to see it happen, but no one ever bothered to thank them when their lives were on the line. He always gives his best to be all that he can be. He is glad that he served his country and did his duty.
  I know for sure that if I was there during that time, I would have thanked him. He is my hero. He is a strong man who is proud. I like to sit around and listen to him tell me stories of his times in Vietnam. Every time I hear a story, it makes me even more proud to call him my grandpa. He shouldn't ever try to forget those times. Those were the times that he protected our country, he's right, he can't change what happened, but I wouldn't want him too if he could. I like him for everything he is.
  I think my favorite stories are hearing about the fun times. I hear all the time how people didn't make it back alive. I think that him coming back and surviving, made him a stronger man. He says that life was hard to adjust to after he got back, but if he could do it all over, he says he would. I think those were some of the best times of his life, but I'm not for sure. I know that his memories will be mine and his forever.
  Papa, I would like to say thanks for serving in the Marine Corps. I don't know or can't imagine what it was like to be in a foreign land, but I can tell you right now that I couldn't be more proud of you. I love the person that you are. I shouldn't matter that people think it's wrong what you did, but I don't care. It made you who you are today, and I love that person. Although the memories can sometimes be hard to recall, I don't want you to try to forget them. They made you who you are, and you should be proud. I will love you forever and for always.