Memorial Day 2013
A gentle lesson.
Some congratulate Veterans on Memorial Day.
I worked behind the shop and mowed the entire lawn today.
And thought............
Of all the barbeques and boats bobbing in the lake and all the bottles and cans of beer Consumed...
but, I didn't think much on them.
Please in no way take the next words as rebuke. I was honored to serve
my country as I thought I understood it and the Constitution we took
oath to defend. I am honored that you think of me as hero. I will
always try to be that for you as much as I know how. My time as soldier
marked me forever, ill or good. Contributed to what and how I am
today. I have an ever greater appreciation of that as the days go by.
But, Memorial day, I'm afraid, will always be a time of sadness somewhat for me, for it is not just the barbeques, or the parades and the politicians high sounding blathering s to masses of ignorant sheeple. Not stupid people, but people who yearn to have someone tell them what to
think and do
Rather, I remember the dead I personally know and
those I never knew, except through stories and histories, personal
accounts of people who did know and serve with them, before my time and
now in wars and conflicts both known and unknown, who believed and
believe they were/are doing something required and right, whether it
is/was or not, whether it truly made a difference, or not.
I
remember the mother and father I had to inform that their precious son
was not just missing, but gone. Obliterated as if he had never been in
the front seat of that Cobra, never ran home from school with excitement
to tell of what he had learned that day, never taken his first turn
behind the wheel of the family car, mother or father nervously watching,
hoping he'd never be in an accident where they were not there to guide
and counsel him out of the danger zone.
Remember those I saw fall, salute the boots and helmets, grief for the lose of
their camaraderie, shameful for the relief that........there but for the grace of God.........
Mine not the only story, only one........one out of all the hundreds of thousands.
Stories we should remember with sadness and pride, not only on Memorial Day, but each and every day.
