DD214 Discharge Document
Is it only a piece of paper in a drawer or box, waiting to verify military service?
The 34 boxes on one-page are about the military veterans:
when, where and what commitments they made.
It is a real story of bravery, of sacrifice, and of giving, waiting to be told.
It’s a highlight of two years, four years or a long career. (Box 32)
It’s about you and what happened as you were
preparing for a career, growing up, accepting responsibility,
protecting our foundation and being prepared to risk it all.
A shadow box or photo albums are cherished visuals for the veteran
but does not tell the story of that time: boot camp (short haircuts, early mornings training)
and learning that patriotism is part of the uniform.
Being away from family and friends, then living in a foreign place (Box 32c),
maybe facing an armed foe are things a veteran never forgets.
The DD-214 just provides order.
Real combat details are not spelled out, just confirmation that “I was there”.
It’s a fill-in-the-blank, not a play-by-play.
Maybe a heroism ribbon, a Purple Heart or a combat “V” tells part. (Box 24)
Veterans understand, but others just notice ribbons as “chest salad”.
But every award was earned with blood, sweat and tears or maybe a piece of flesh.
It does not tell of comrades who did not return.
The list is long of those who would never see their DD-214
or get a “welcome home brother” fist bump or hand shake.
Many others came back with injuries, inside and out, or both.
It does not tell of the pain inside of every veteran, grieving for those who gave their all.
It’s only a piece of paper.
My dad from WW II, my two blood brothers from Vietnam, and my son from OIF/OEF served.
I am proud to have targeted the same freedoms as they: religion, speech, press,
free assembly and protecting our citizens and those freedom-seekers around the world.
Having my DD-214 next to theirs is an honor.
We all had important reasons to go.
It’s only a piece of paper.
It’s about a single life as a member of the USMC, USN, USAF, USCG, USARMY, National Guard, reserves and active duty. (Box 1 & 4)
It’s about a short story, a novel or many books waiting to be told.
It’s about real lives who said “here am I, send me”.
It’s about courage, sacrifice and commitment woven into every box on the page.
Memories fade but the name on the first line still cares deeply
about all the other information in all the spaces on the page;
when, where and with whom. Veterans never forget.
They recall the ship, the airplane, the unit and the assignment.
They remember learning to fly it, shoot it, fix it, navigate it, operate it and protect it.
It’s only a piece of paper.
It can be a painful review but a necessary one to show exposure to harmful
pollutants, rockets, guns, bombs and other dangers.
It also pumps them up to know that when called, they answered.
Yea, we went. We did what was necessary.
We went beyond the pain to hold up under the suffering.
It’s only a piece of paper.
Every veteran should frame their DD-114 to review it frequently,
wave it, show it and know they wrote a check to the USA:
In the amount of “up to and including my life”. They signed up,
with no expiration date.
Yea, we had a reason.
We served honorably. (Box 13)
We celebrate, laugh, cry, and are humbled by every box on the DD-214.
Is it only just a piece of paper?
Garry G. Garretson – USN –Vietnam 1967-1969 – g.garretson@att.net
