Memorial Day

Here in the United States it’s Memorial Day, dedicated to all who have served in the US military and fallen in the line of duty.

As a number of people have noted, and I agree, it’s not really an occasion to wish anyone a “happy” Memorial Day. It’s a somber holiday in which we remember all of those who have given their lives in defense of our country over the past 237+ years. Despite the three-day weekend, the baseball games, the beach, the camping & boating trips, the BBQ’s, we need to all take a few minutes to remember why the flags fly at half-staff today.

Chuck Wendig, a favorite author and blogger, tweets, “Anti-war still to me means being pro-soldier — and it’s vital we recognize and support and remember those who served and still serve.” That’s an excellent way of putting it, especially as someone who was shocked and horrified at the way our returning veterans were treated in the 70’s coming home from Vietnam.

In my teens I was anti-war (I thought it was stupid that we were in Vietnam, and I was convinced that Nixon was an idiot and one of the worst presidents this country has every seen) but pro-military (I went to Annapolis as a midshipman in 1974, fully intending to fly F-14’s off of carriers into combat). The Navy gig didn’t work out (a story for another day), but I’ve always completely supported our troops and the benefits we as a society owe them for risking their lives in defense of our way of life.

My son has been in the US Air Force for over ten years. Steve’s now a Staff Sergeant and has been all over the world, being stationed in Iceland, Germany, Korea, Japan, and St Louis, with side trips to places like Bosnia and the United Arab Emirates. I’ve had the pleasure of being able to visit him in several of those sites and I can’t express enough how proud I am of him and of all of the men and women who serve along side of him.

While you’re enjoying your Memorial Day, remember those who died, were injured, or suffered so that you could have it.