Today we begin Memorial Day Weekend. We not only honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, we also honor those who served and made it through the horrors of war to return home. My father and Suzy’s father both served in WW II and Korea. The two men were hardly alike. Dad was in the Army, Mr. Ward was a marine fighter pilot.
Like I said, they had little in common except one thing. Neither would talk about their experiences in either war. Whatever they faced and saw was not to be discussed at the dinner table or anytime for that matter. I can’t tell you how many people I have met over the years who have said the same thing about their fathers or brothers. Whatever their personal horror it was to be left in Europe, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, or the Middle East.
On this memorial day, I think of those who died and people like my Dad and father-in-law who returned with memories so difficult they couldn’t talk about them. We honor them, and owe them a commitment to end war in the future. The only fitting legacy for their sacrifice its to make sure our children and grandchildren don’t suffer the experiences as they.
Leave a Reply +