Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend and I think back to the men of my childhood, all of whom served in World War II. 

My dad served in the Air Force.  We used to say he was in the Battle of Las Vegas because that is where he was stationed, at Nellis AFB.  He was an instructor there and while he never saw combat, he did train those who would.  He always had wonderful stories about the men with whom he served.

My uncles - my mom's two brothers - served in the same 'outfit' and saw unspeakable horrors.  One of them was missing for a while.  In fact, when a telegram came announcing that fact, the family didn't know which one of 'the boys' it was since they shared the same first initial and rank.  It was a terrible couple of weeks for the family, but then came a letter from 'the boys' saying all was well, and the joy was overwhelming.  It was SO overwhelming that my grandfather couldn't sleep and as he reread the letter for the 6th time, he died of a heart attack.  Joy and sorrow.  I hear that alot from people whose family members have served.

My uncles attended every annual reunion of their 'outfit' until they both passed away.  They were so excited to see their pals.  When we would ask them questions about what happened in the war, they would tell us funny stories about their buddies, but they would never tell us the horrors that they saw.  Only once did I overhear a conversation between them about their time in combat, and because of what I heard and the pain I saw in their eyes, I realized that I would NEVER ask them any details.

And so on this weekend where we honor those who have served, I want to take this moment in cyberspace to assure those heroes that those of us who are YOUR children have told OUR children about you and that we honor you always as the 'greatest generation' and we thank you.