Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is upon us. I wonder how many people really know what this Holiday is about. I myself have never served in the military. So I write about this topic from a civilian stand point. I have wondered, what kind of a soldier would I have made. I was in a recruiter's office once, looking to go into the Army and wanted to pursue a MP service since at the time I was in college for Law Enforcement. I was discouraged (not by the recruiter) that it would be hard for me to attain that goal since I was a little too tall and overweight by about 20 pounds. Back to the topic.

Memorial Day is an interesting holiday. Most people associate it with the beginning of summer. Myself in the recent years have thought more about our men and women who have served this great nation of ours selflessly. For many of us we have family member(s) that have served. Myself, my grandfather served in World War II. I never knew he was there until many years after he passed away. When I found out he was in the Battle of the Bulge I was almost shocked. I remember him as a my soft spoken white haired and full of wisdom grandpa. I would have never placed him in Europe on a battle field. Like many of his generation their stories were never shared with family, sometimes it was never spoken that they were there.

My father served during the Cold War era, thankfully he did not have to witness battle. Although it must have been tough to serve with knowing the threat of nuclear war could break out. To me that would be an ominous feeling knowing that if you go to war you were looking at the possibility of literally changing the face of the planet and millions of peoples very existence would be instantaneously eliminated. Thankfully it never happened.

My biological father served as a Marine in Vietnam. I have not heard much about his service there. I hope to find out more. So that some of his experiences are passed down. I spoke once with him and asked him, Would you go back to see the country? He replied, "Yes, I would," and on a light note, he stated 'he missed the food there."

I also had two uncles serve one in the Marine Corp and the other in the Air Force. I have also had new and old friends serve in all the different branches of military.

To all of my family and friends that have served, I say Thank you for your service to this great country of ours. To our soldiers past and present be proud!
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