My Cold War Years (Part Ten): I Am A Cold War Veteran
- Tracy's Thoughts
- Jan 16, 2019
- 6 min read
It has since been almost 40 years ago that I first held up my right hand and recited this Oath, "I, Tracy Stephens, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." While some may disagree, I feel that my Oath has not fully expired and never will.
Music and movies will often reflect current real world events. My Supervisor, a Staff Sergeant, in addition to all of our required gear, to include our personal clothing, toiletries etc., would always haul out his small stereo with multiple cassette tapes and set it up in the Flight Security Controller's office for his and others listening pleasure. I now think back to some of those events and incidents that could have led to nuclear Armageddon during "My Cold War Years", and with that some of the music that was popular back then. In a previous article I wrote, "The Music That's In League With Lucifer: Jazz, Blues, Rock’n’Roll, Heavy Metal and Hip-Hop" I even mentioned at how in the 1950's, when the threat of the "Red Scare" and almost certain nuclear Armageddon or destruction, that the rock and roll music that the teenagers of that time were listening to gave them some form of hope with the fears and anxieties during the early "Cold War" years. I also mention that one of my favorite tunes was "Two Suns in the Sunset" from the 1983 Pink Floyd album "The Final Cut". In my own gear that I took out to the field it often included a small AM/FM Radio/Cassette Player and just a handful of tapes. The album itself has an anti-war message and that particular song portrays a nuclear holocaust. The final result of a world obsessed with war and control. Seems kind of ironic that I'd be listening to this as I was guarding just a small portion of America's nuclear arsenal located on the plains of South Dakota. The music did however help to pass some of the time away when stuck out on an LF for many hours waiting on a Maintenance Team or a 45th Missile Security Squadron Camper Alert Team to be dispatched from the Base.
Also while they may not have been that "popular", there is some actual "missile field" music too that I just happened upon during one of my often taken trips through YouTube many years ago. Take a listen to "The Groobers", which is a group of four US Air Force missile crew members from FE Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming that wrote and sang parodies about life in the missile fields in the 1970's. Their songs were compiled into an album, "Missile Duty's Pleasin'?". While you're there you might as well as hit up "CivilDefenseSpot" for some Cold War Classics on the "Atomic Platters". And earlier I had mentioned the 2015 German-American television series on AMC Networks' SundanceTV "Deutschland 83". It made extensive use of 1980's popular music, including Nena's "99 Luftballons", David Bowie, New Order and Eurythmics among others, all of which could be considered "Cold War" tunes. I actually enjoyed this show very much. I have not as yet seen the newer season "Deutschland 86" due to it's regular time slot, but I may have to watch it eventually. I may even look for the third season, "Deutschland 89" as well when it begins.
And since I've mentioned just a few movies here already, one of my many favorites is the 1955 American military film starring James Stewart and June Allyson, "Strategic Air Command". It is about an ex-pilot and current baseball player that 'recalled' into the U.S. Air Force and assumes an increasingly important role in "Cold War" deterrence. And yes, even in this movie there is a depiction of an Operational Readiness Inspection exercise. Another one is "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", the 1964 political satire black comedy starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Slim Pickens. Some other pretty good movies about the "Cold War", and not necessarily in order of any importance are, "Fail Safe", "From Russia with Love", "Red Dawn" (1984), "Top Gun", "Spies Like Us", "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming", "Firefox", "Hearbreak Ridge", and "Stripes" just to name a few, but again far too many to keep listing.
At the time of my Honorable Discharge, I held the rank of "Buck" Sergeant/E-4. My ribbons include the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Ribbon, the Air Force Good Conduct Ribbon, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Ribbon. I was discharged from active duty in March of 1988, about 3 months early due to some federal budget cuts at the time. I served the remainder of my time on inactive duty. Now when I was back in my home state of Alabama I stayed with my Dad and Stepmom in Talladega for awhile. In June of 1988 I received my Certificate of Honorable Discharge. It is proudly displayed hanging on my wall to this very day.
With the use of the Internet, mostly Facebook, I have reconnected with a few of my former Crew-mates from the 44th Missile Security Squadron and a few people that were assigned to the 45th Missile Security Squadron, along with one Facility Manager and some others that were stationed at Ellsworth during the same time I was there. I have also connected, either in the cyber-world or real world, with other Veterans from all branches of the US Armed Forces that have served during the Iraqi/Afghanistan War, Persian Gulf War, Vietnam War, Korean War, Cold War, and World War II. No matter when they served or in what capacity, all Veterans are Brothers and Sisters and will forever be. As a matter of fact, some of my Nephews can be called my Brother Veterans. One is still serving in the US Army, one is an Army Veteran and the other is a Navy Veteran. I am so very proud of them each.
For many years after getting out, while I was proud of my service, I felt uncomfortable of claiming to be a Veteran. I always thought that honor belonged to those who had spent an entire lifetime serving their Country and to those who had been to war and those who had been maimed and injured. It wasn't until many years later when I was talking with a Vietnam Combat Veteran and he told me never be ashamed or regret my time served. Now I had heard stories at how some of those returning from Vietnam were treated, so those words from that Vietnam Combat Veteran meant a lot to me. And to this day I can now hold my head up with pride, distinction and honor and say "I am a Cold War Veteran"!
[NOTE: This is Part 10 of a 10-Part series of stories about some of my memories of when I was in the US Air Force from 1982 to 1988 and stationed at Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, South Dakota.
As we have reached "The End", I'd like to add some final thoughts. I really appreciate all of those who have read and commented on this collection of stories from "My Cold War Years" as I took you on a simple stroll down memory lane where my personal history is intermixed with our world's history, even if in just a small way. I am grateful that some of my words have reached you and perhaps stirred your own memories. I'd like to dedicate this series to ALL of those Men and Women who have served and who are currently serving, but especially to my COLD WAR VETERAN Brothers and Sisters. Thank you!]
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