The Real Cost of Freedom

By Harvey C. Mayhill

This book will put into words what many veterans went through and what they must endure today, years later. The stories are true and told the way I remember them having been told to me. I have visited with thousands of veterans over the years, and it is difficult to remembe

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Real Cost of Freedom
• Release date: Oct 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218305260

Book preview

The Real Cost

of Freedom

From military veteran’s activities

Based on actual events

Written by Harvey C. Mayhill

Copyright © 2023 Harvey C. Mayhill

All rights reserved.

ISBN/SKU:

979-8-218-30525-3

EISBN:

979-8-218-30526-0

THANK YOU

TO THE FOLLOWING

For proof reading, critique, and review

of this book for accuracy and content.

Colonel Walter Ford, Retired

United States Marine Corps

Sharon Ford, Retired, Teacher

Arlene Vinson, Retired, Teacher

Dr. Andrew Froumis,

United States Army Medic

Retired Manufacturing Manager

Cover design National Pride

was created by Harvey C. Mayhill

With the assistance of

Foust Textiles – Kings Mtn, North Carolina

COVER DESCRIPTION

Stars on The United States Flag represent the fifty states and the thirteen stripes for the original colonies.

We the People is The Preamble to the United States Constitution with a dedicated Marine representing all who defend our precious documents, freedom, and way of life.

Six Marines are raising the U.S. flag over Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb 23, 1945.

God’s creation of the Grand Canyon reminds us of our beautiful and diverse country.

A collage of flags represents all states as our country has grown.

Four of the greatest Presidents are forever carved in Mount Rushmore.

The Golden Gate Bridge and the U.S. Capitol bring us together from sea to shining sea.

The Statue of Liberty in the center, welcomes all who enter by the laws of the land.

Proudly displayed in the center is the American Bald Eagle, a United States symbol of freedom, protecting all.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my wife Linda Lin Mayhill

Who understands me and has supported me since 1964.

and

to the veteran who went to Vietnam in my place,

to the veteran who may have taken the bullet for me

if I had gone to Vietnam, and to the veteran who may have died in Vietnam for me because I did not go.

For me, my real cost of freedom is not the supreme sacrifice, the external scars, emotional scars, or not even internal scars of what is called today, PTSD.  It is the burden of guilt of never having been in the battle zone when so many others were. 

For those who served in the battle zone of any war,

they carry the burdening memories of what they saw,

what they had to do, what they smelled, what they tasted,

what they heard, and what they touched.

For some, the smallest activity can trigger off a memory which raises emotions.  Emotions cannot be controlled, but the veteran has learned how to camouflage these reactions from their loved ones or others. 

This is their never-ending price of freedom 24/7/365

for the rest of their lives.

"If you have been there, no explanation is necessary.

If you have not been there, no explanation is possible."

Harvey C. Mayhill’s military take on a similar quote by Lou Holtz.

This book will put into words what many veterans went through and what they must endure today, years later.  The stories are true and told the way I remember them having been told to me.  I have visited with thousands of veterans over the years, and it is difficult to remember the exact words, so my version of their experiences may not be exact, but their stories are real and need to be shared so the general public knows the real cost of freedom.

Some names have been either modified or just the first name applied for privacy purposes.  When a full name is used, it is done with permission. 

Many of these stories have come from being part of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation.  QOVF® is a volunteer group that makes and awards patriotic quilts to veterans as a thank you for their service.  It is a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

This book will not have snippets of profanity, political statements, or derogatory comments.  It will have truth, facts, editorial liberties to assist in the story and patriotism.  If you want strong language and lies, do not even open to the first page, stop reading right now and give this book to someone who is willing to accept quality reading with truth.

This book is not for the faint at heart. For some it may be like what Jack Nicholson said in A Few Good Men is that:

A person with his mouth open Description automatically generated

From the movie, A Few Good Men, with Jack Nicholson

If you are a veteran and would like to have your story told, I have left some blank pages at the end of this book for you to write about your own experiences. 

With your input, this book becomes personal and may be considered as a family heirloom to be passed on

to future generations. 

Write legibly, in your own words and handwriting, sign your name and date.  Thank you for reading these stories and may the sharing of your own story and experience bring release to any burdens that

you may have encountered.

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'THE MIND DOESNT FORGET WHAT THE EYES HAVE SEEN.'

IF AT ANY TIME YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, DISTURBED, DEPRESSED or HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK, DO NOT LET THE DEAMONS WITHIN OVERPOWER YOU.

CALL THE SUICIDE HOTLINE AT 988 + 1 IMMEDIATEDLY!

Each veteran signed a contract with the military for a period of 2, 3, 4 or 6 years.  It has often been identified as signing a blank check payable to the United States of America an amount up to and including their life.  Each veteran took an oath, and no veteran has ever been relieved of that oath.  They worked and went where they were needed to preserve freedom.  All have a story, some cannot share it, some will not share it.  Here are examples of their stories and experiences.

THE REAL COST OF FREEDOM CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION                   Pg 09

THE BEGINNING                  Pg 18

LIFE IS JUST STARTING       Pg 26

CIVILIAN SUPPORT                  Pg 32

THE SNIPER                        Pg 44

A DREAM SHATTERED            Pg 51

SECRETS DISCLOSED                  Pg 56

THE BOOGIE MAN                  Pg 58

NOT WHO HE SAID HE WAS      Pg 61

THEY CALLED HIM ‘DOC’            Pg 64

TO BE BORN FREE                  Pg 75

MIRACLES AND SILENCE            Pg 77

BATAAN DEATH MARCH            Pg 80

ANGELS OF BATAAN                  Pg 83

FOURTEEN CLASSMATES            Pg 85

THE VIETNAM NURSE            Pg 87

ESCORT HOME                        Pg 90

THE CLUB                              Pg 92

IT WAS WAR                        Pg 101

TV vs REALITY                        Pg 103

COWARD – NOT                        Pg 106

CANNOT UNSEE                        Pg 109

TOO MANY BROKEN HEARTS      Pg 112

BEST MAN                              Pg 114

WOW – WHAT A DAY IT WAS      Pg 119

FEMALE VIETNAM VETERANS      Pg 122

BITTERSWEET MOTHER’S DAY      Pg 127

THE WEDDING                        Pg 131

FAMILY REUNION                  Pg 138

UNABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT      Pg 144

FACE OFF                              Pg 147

A HAMBURGER                        Pg 156

THE TRIP HOME                        Pg 160

AWAY FROM HOME                  Pg 167

GOD CHOSE ME                         Pg 182

NO ROOM AT THE INN            Pg 191

TOUCHED BY WAR                  Pg 199

TWO HEROES MEET                  Pg 206

HAS FREEDOM BEEN FAIR            Pg 211

A FACEBOOK EXPLAINATION       Pg 215

THE PARATROOPER                  Pg 219

THE WALL THAT HEALS            Pg 221

TO BE BORN FREE                  Pg 226

MIRACLES AND SILENCE            Pg 228

BILL’S PRIDE BILL CRIED            Pg 231

THE MOVIE THEATER                  Pg 234

PERMISSION                        Pg 237

A GREAT FRIEND                  Pg 242

Some veterans cannot handle the stressful

emotions of what they encountered.

Every day, an average of twenty-two veterans

commit suicide.

22

A portion of the sale of each book will be donated

to a Veterans Suicide Prevention Program.

After reading this book, hopefully you will have learned and understand what veterans endure.

Then, take the time to call a veteran.

You might Stop a Suicide.

EACH ONE – REACH ONE

Permission is granted to use any part of this book if it reduces a veteran’s PTSD or potentially saves a veteran’s life. Credit must be given when using or referencing a shared story.

INTRODUCTION

About the author

A picture containing clothing, human face, person, person Description automatically generatedA person wearing a blue hat and vest Description automatically generated with low confidence

1961                2023

It was 12°F, windy and snowing on Tuesday January 12, 1943, the day Harvey Mayhill was born in Davenport, Iowa.

His Father, Cecil, was the second child of five, born February 12, 1912, in Alma, Illinois and died December 29h, 1949, in Davenport, Iowa.  Just two weeks before his seventh birthday, he saw his father die. 

His Mother, Frances (a.k.a. Mary) was the second child of four, born December 1, 1921, in Davenport, Iowa and died November 8. 1963, in Davenport, Iowa. 

Harvey’s younger years were not as pleasant as most other children, and he was very bitter toward life because the family had little to nothing.  Yes, the family was poor, and

so was everyone else in the neighborhood (skid row) where he lived.

Harvey and his parents lived in a cold-water flat above Naeckle’s Paint House.  There was no yard or grass, just a rock and tar roof for him to play.  There were no privacy fences or guard rails, just a sheer drop off the end of the roof onto the alley below.  In the summer, the roof would be well over 100°F and the stench of garbage in the alley would seep its way up onto the roof and eventually into their living space.

There was no place for him to play in the winter, except for the sidewalk in front of Naeckle’s.  Naeckle’s was in the center of skid-row with several taverns on the same block and across the street.

The winters brought snow and ice.  Snow on the sidewalks was shoveled off into the street.  Ice collected on the sidewalks was sprinkled with coal clinkers (burnt coal residue) from the store’s furnace.  Times were tough for everyone with the nation still recovering from the Great Depression.  World War II had just ended.  Both events affected the entire nation, both physically and economically.  The merchants could not afford sand or salt; besides it was a good way to dispose of the coal residue.

The front of Naeckel’s Paint House looked like many other stores with apartments above the establishment.  There were entrances to the apartment on both sides of the store.

A picture containing text, building, outdoor, sign Description automatically generated

Photo source: Facebook, You Know You’re From The Quad-Cities When…

The back side showed what the housing was really like.  The stairs from the third floor were rickety wood slats and always in need of repair. 

The tar and rock roof of the paint store was the back yard to the tenants of the apartments.  Garbage was dropped over the back of the roof into 55-gallon barrels that were lined up in the alley below.  They were dumped once a week.  The stench that rose from these open containers rose and into the apartments above.  There was no air-conditioning, so the windows were kept open in the summer.  The heat from the tar roof could rise well above 100 degrees even on a mild summer day.

There were no guard rails on the roof, and it is a miracle that no one ever fell off.  The center set of steps (slightly obscured) is where Harvey lived until he was twelve years old.

A picture containing text, outdoor, white, black Description automatically generated

Photo source: Facebook, You Know You’re From The Quad-Cities When…

He was never abused like some of his childhood friends were.  His language was very disgusting, and many times he felt that there was not much meant to live for in his life. 

The schools taught the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, The National Anthem, singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic, all the military songs, and patriotism.   

At a young age, Harvey developed a sense of patriotism, probably from living in the downtown area of Davenport and seeing many parades with the VFW and/or American Legion carrying the colors.  The high school bands played military marching songs, and there were always patriotic floats/displays and marching units. The marching units were the high school’s JROTC and military groups. 

In Harvey’s immediate family there were no veterans, but he had uncles and a grandfather who were.

At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years in Air Traffic Control Ground Approach Radar.  Over the years, Harvey has been involved in many community service and support groups.  Several members of these community organizations were veterans from all branches of military service.  Not only did they serve their country, but they continued to serve their communities when they returned home as did Harvey.

The camaraderie of veterans can only be understood by one who is a veteran, and Harvey was always willing to listen to their stories.  Some stories were funny, some exaggerated, and some very emotional.  Veterans seemed to trust and confide in him their most vulnerable stories.  He had a compassion for understanding and a willingness to let them vent without opinion or prejudice.  It is like a ministry to him.

With today’s all volunteer military, a greater majority of the general population have no idea what a veteran has endured.  The draft ended in 1973.  Veterans who served prior to then did not necessarily volunteer but were required by law to serve their country.  Most were called to this duty between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.  Their formative years were interrupted; most turned out well and some did not.

These young men were put in positions of responsibility that are unimaginable to most.  What they saw, did or encountered has formed their lives and lifestyle.  Some who served on the battlefield during the wars have visible

scars.  Others have emotional scars that cannot be seen, but they must carry the scars and memories for the rest of their lives. 

The stories in this book are based on their memories as they have revealed them to the author.  Neither the author nor veterans knew that this book would be written, but the time has come for the public to know how much their freedom has cost someone.

Harvey says that it was an honor to serve in the US Air Force; it is an honor to serve God; and it is a great honor to have been trusted with these stories to let people know The Real Cost of Freedom.

The veteran’s stories revealed here will bring closure for some.  Other veterans may identify with a story being like one of their own, and they too will realize that story