As I write this, it is Sunday and I'm waiting for friends to come over for barbequed pork steaks, baked beans, and potato salad. In St. Louis, this is typical Memorial Day fare. But, I'm in Atlanta. I may not finish this before they arrive, but I wanted to get some of this written while I was still sober. As it is Michael and Cindy coming over, we're talking a three bottle of wine dinner and some grappa for afters.
So it's Memorial Day. The official start of summer. A nice three day weekend. While you're at the beach, or the mountains, or just sitting at home having a nice barbeque, take a minute to remember what Memorial Day is about. Think about the soldiers freezing at Valley Forge. Think about all the brave men on both sides who died in our Civil War. Think about the men who twice had to save Europe. Think of all the dead buried in France who died to save that sorry nation. Think about the soldiers who fought an unwinnable war in Korea. Think also about the soldiers who had to fight an unwinnable war in Viet Nam, unwinnable because the politicians would not let the soldiers win it. And then, those soldiers were called baby killers when they returned. Think about the soldiers in both Gulf Wars.
I was in Viet Nam. I was in the Navy. On both of the ships I served on, the majority of the crews were made up of people like me: four years and out. As such we were in our late teens and early twenties. The jarheads and the grunts were the same. I joined at 19 and got out at 23. We did most of the work. Viet Nam was a young man's war.
Many of us, including myself, thought we belonged there. We were fighting communism. But, we were betrayed by our own countrymen, people like Jane Fonda who went to North Viet Nam and gave aid and comfort to our enemy. It's one thing to protest at home. It's another to go to an enemy country and make propaganda radio broadcasts. To this day, I think she should be tried for treason and shot. I think that after we gave up and came home, we were vindicated by seeing the bloodbath that occured in Viet Nam and Cambodia.
So, on this Memorial Day, take a minute to remember the soldiers, all the soldiers, who fought to keep this country free and make it the best country in the world.
Thanks guys.
Posted by denny at May 25, 2003 04:46 PM
I'm the first in three generations (I believe) to not be in the military. Feels odd at times...but I have some years left.
Posted by: addison on May 26, 2003 05:18 PMOh. my. word. I split an infinitive. Forgive me: "...not to be in the military..."
Posted by: addison on May 26, 2003 05:19 PMThanks for your sevice Denny. My brother is serving now, my dad served, and both of my grandfathers served as well. I respect all that the military does and I respect, and honor, the people that are serving and have served. You are a true patriot and hero. Thanks for doing what you did!
Posted by: Matt on May 26, 2003 06:37 PMThanks much for your service. My grandfather died on D-Day at Normandy, and is buried in France. I served active duty Navy for 8 years, and am currently in the Navy Reserves. I hope and pray that everyone remembers the tremendous sacrifices that the military has made to make our country as great as it is. God bless you and everyone who has served, and is currently serving in all brances of the military.
YN1 Dawn Adams, USNR
Menasha, WI, USA
Thank YOU!
Posted by: bubblegirl on May 27, 2003 12:36 PMDon't forget the ones who died fighting the Japs!
Posted by: RalphChunks on May 29, 2003 11:53 PMRalphChunks - You're right. I alluded to WWII when I stated "Think about the men who twice had to save Europe", but I didn't explicitly mention Japan. I stand corrected. Thanks.
Posted by: Denny Wilson on May 30, 2003 10:08 AMyes, veterans are very important in our society today, and i think we should honer them every day not just today
Posted by: 556 on May 31, 2004 09:14 AM