Klamath Falls, Ore. – Wes Edmunson served 4 years in the Marine Corps, and 26 years in the Air Guard.
“I’ve never been in any combat.” Stressed Edmunson. “Never been in country, anywhere, never been in danger, never been in harm’s way.”
But, Edmunson says he’s never been looked down on by combat vets, as they all took an oath to put their country before themselves.
“They said, ‘You raised your right hand, and you said that you would.’ And I said, ‘Yes, I did.’ And they said, ‘That’s all that matters.”
Edmunson enlisted in the Marines in 1975 – and served his country with a multi-meter and an oscilloscope.
“Started out in electronics, but ended up being a radio operator.” Explains Edmunson. “I was the radio operator for the Commanding General of the Second Marine Division.”
Cooks and clerks, and medics and mechanics may be the unsung heroes who keep our country free.
“Those guys are very important.” Edmunson points out. “Everybody makes the military go.”
Now retired, Edmunson serves as Commandant of the Leatherneck Club in Klamath Falls.
“I think it’s very important that we carry on traditions, and that we have a place that military members can join, and talk to people about their experiences – because, I think, this is therapy.” Says Edmunson.
It’s also a place to remember those who died serving their country.
“The ones that have actually sacrificed their lives, are of course heroes.”
Edmunson will be in the Veterans Day parade Friday, and says he feels honored when people thank him for his service: “But the ones that I think about most are the ones that are sitting there in a wheelchair, as we’re going by – that you know, ‘they’ve been there – they’ve done that.”
And deep in his heart, Edmunson is still proud to be a Marine – Once a marine, always a Marine.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.