I wish it weren’t so, this day shouldn’t be. Memorial Day is, for many, a day of sadness, for others a day of pride, to remember our loved ones who died while serving this country. We will visit cemeteries, listen to old men and
women speak and pray for the dead, listen to the bagpipers, the bugler will play Taps… Most of you have not had, nor will you have that experience. I’m happy for you! Never having to, as Jack Nicholson’s character in A Few Good Men exclaimed “Stand on that wall!” You may have buried a loved one. It was sterile. After a short illness in a hospital. With words like “passed away” or “gone on”. So have your picnics, visit your cabin. Fish. Get drunk. Your life has been a joy so far. That could change.
The explosion, followed by gunfire, screams of the wounded, fear so hard it drives away everything else. There’s no pain, thirst, hunger. The only feeling is confusion. The only thought is they are trying to kill me! Anger replaces it all as you return fire. You empty five magazines of ammo. Just as suddenly as it began it’s over. Rifle empty, as you are, replaced by I’m alive! I’m still here! Happy to have survived your first firefight!! It’s then you get hit with a reality you will never forget.
Nothing will ever be the same anymore. Picking up your best friend from Staging Bn., you yell for the corpsman, holding him in your arms as he dies. His last word was “Mama!” You promised him you would visit her. Poncho laid over his body, never to be seen by you again, only in your dreams. You are assured of a lifetime of memories of this day. They will become nightmares. With guilt thrown in.. Why am I alive?
I have lived a long life, I have honored your memory daily! Today I will remember you as I always have. I will put on my uniform, visit the Memorial Wall, read your name, hoping I won’t break down in tears! I kept the promise. Took me ten years, but finally made that visit to your Mama. She said she understood. She was so happy!
You finished up your long Memorial weekend. You got your boat in the water. Been to your cabin. In Minnesota, it's called “Up north”. With your son, daughter, grandchildren. The youngest is gonna graduate from high school, and the oldest from college. You have been planning the open house. The soon-to-be college grad wants to talk about plans, says he has something to tell us. Will have to make time as soon as we get home. It’s a four hour drive, I hope I can stay awake.
Dad, Mom, I joined The Army! YOU DID WHAT? I joined ROTC while I was in college, I will be getting my commission as A 2nd Lt. when I graduate and I will be leaving for training in a week!!! WHY? I want to defend our country! ARE YOU CRAZY? THERE’S A WAR GOING ON! Where in hell did that idea come from? Hey, you been talkin' to that crazy uncle of yours? Look what Vietnam did to him! Yeah he told me to become a officer! I get to tell other people what to do!
Your world has suddenly been changed with those words. Now its your turn to feel the aprehension, the fears, waking up in the middle of the night, fearing when the phone rings! Watchin' the news, your political views don’t mean diddley anymore! Finally, you will feel the pride, seeing how proud he has become. Looking for ways to support him. Hey, I met some good people at the Armory. They all have loved ones in the service, supporting each other, a real friendly bunch. I was asked to join them. They are gathering together to raise money for phone cards, or for whatever else our troops will need. Hey did you put up the Flag yet?
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