Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017.

Memorial Day has always been a special holiday for me. My parents were married on Memorial Day. At that time, before we decided all holidays had to be celebrated around a 3-day weekend, it was always on May 30. My entire childhood was in an era that memorialized World Wars I and II and tied together the words “war” and “patriotism.” “From Here To Eternity” “The Bridge Over the River Kwai,” “Mister Rogers” were a few of the movies. “Hogan’s Heroes” “Combat” and “McHale’s Navy” were some of the television series I watched each week, as we kept our sense of patriotism alive during the 50s and 60s and sent our young people to Korea to fight.

I was the wife of a soldier for 15 years, part of which were during the misunderstood and very unpopular, Vietnam War. I had the experience of twice, sending my husband off to the war, while fighting an internal battle regarding the necessity of this particular action, as I was learning of things that happened there, I was unable to accept. Twice, I welcomed him home without the cheers other returning warriors had known.

Age has delivered to me a growing abhorrence of war, of the waste of youthful lives and what they could have become, of all we lose with every battle we fight. Age also gives me the realization that we cannot live without it. Those two thoughts aside, I believe in the lives and the hearts and souls of our military. They go to battle wherever they are needed, whether they believe in the battle or not. They fight with no less heart on one battlefield than on another. They put aside their own needs and comforts and face danger and adversity, so the rest of us can remain safe. They serve us all.

So, as I once again, listen to the soul piercing strains of “Taps” calling once again to the fallen, I honor our military personal who have given until they could give no more. I offer my eternal gratitude to those who have made my life and yours what it is today. I offer my condolences to those who carry in their hearts, a place for someone, who will not come home again.  

Blessings to us all.