A BOND OF COMMON GOOD: (Opposite page) The author on patrol at Landing Zone Baldy in the Que Son Valley; (Above left) Certo while stationed at Hill 270, 12 km west of the airfield at Chu Lai; (Above right) Certo receives medals in front of his regiment.

But running a country, or a government and its citizens should not be a do-or-die team sport. It is an intellectual, moral, and historical lesson in responsibility, that needs to achieve and maintain the freedom, safety, and an improved life of its people. This only comes with the understanding that different opinions or facts are worth considering and debating, for a mutual benefit. Add to that the respect, not contempt, of the other side.

I feel the military is the best example of unity and coming together. In 1969, while serving with the Marines in Vietnam, our platoon was on patrols in the Que Son Valley. I developed malaria; I was also injured from our platoon operation of taking back a hill near our landing zone base. Our operations were long and sometimes lasted for weeks on end. The climate was unforgiving, humid, and miserably hot with temperatures well over 100 degrees. Humping gear for miles, while staying alert for an ambush, always made our lives more unbearable. We were in an area of heavy fire and constant ambushes, so it was difficult to get supplies and support. Water was priceless as the heat and lack of support only allowed us scarce water from the murky rice paddies that we treated with purifying pills. The malaria, and my injuries, along with the climate took its toll, and as I dealt with the spinning vertigo of my condition, I finally collapsed. My platoon took notice, and the corpsman said my temperature was 105 and growing. He had to call in a medivac, but we weren't sure they would come because of the danger of our position. Everything was a fog to me, but one thing I vividly remember and will never forget is the Marines in my platoon pouring their precious water over me. There was no guarantee of any more water for the next few miles or days, but they all poured their water over me to try and bring down my fever. I begged

them to stop knowing what precious water they were giving away might not be replaced, but they wouldn't stop. These men were Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian, but there were no lines drawn, there were no debates or discussions, there was only a common good with an unselfish act for something more important than their own immediate needs. I was humbled and nearly cried as they did it, but I learned a lesson as the medivac somehow pushed its way through enemy fire to rescue me. We were all together in caring for each other and putting aside our own personal gain or loss for some moral good.

This is not an isolated case; it happens all the time with the military, and in so many challenging situations. There is a bond of common good, and determination of action to accomplish a noble task. If only we could learn from this lesson, compliments of the military, we would accomplish so much more, while enabling a moral responsibility for all of us to act as brothers in a path to better outcomes. •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dominic Certo, author and businessman, served with the 7th Marines in Vietnam and is an advisory board member of Operation Home Front. He has since served as an advisor and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Operation Homefront. Certo has served as President of Hillside Publications, and Chairman of The Certo Group. The Certo Group is a food services company founded by Certo in 1985 which went public in 2004. Certo was knighted by the Royal Family of The Reigning Order of St. John in Russia. He has also received two Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.