Honoring Those Who Serve

Posted May 30 2011, 12:01 am

In the course of our hectic lives, we sometimes forget the true reason behind those glorious three-day weekends. Take a moment this Memorial Day Monday to remember our service men and women who have dedicated their lives to preserving ours.

All Gave Some – Some Gave All

Both my parents served in the navy during WWII; my dad aboard the battle ship, USS Hornet then the USS Lexington as a radio man and my mom on the east coast of the United States as part of the flight cargo crews. It was a year ago this Memorial Day that their ashes were intombed at the new Iowa Veterans Cemetery just west of Des Moines. Daddy’s flag sits on our hutch as a gentle reminder of the steadfast love he, and my mom, had for this tremendous country of ours. 

Do you have a deceased, retired or serving military person you’d like to honor? Please share their story.

6 Comments

Comments

6 responses to “Honoring Those Who Serve”

  1. Jennifer Jakes says:

    My uncle served in Vietnam and since they didn’t send brothers (the only 2 males in my granddad’s home) there, my dad served as Military Police in Germany at the same time. Both made it home alive and well.
    Our neighbor is leaving in two hours for another tour of duty . . . Be sure to remember those who serve our country!

    Thanks for the post, Lynda!

    • lbailey says:

      And thank you, Jennifer.
      Thoughts and prayers go out to your neighbor. May all who are serving come home safe and sound.

  2. Liz Moore says:

    Two of my cousins went to Vietnam. One died a month after being sent over at the ripe old age of 19 and his name is now on The Wall. The other returned physically unharmed, but with post traumatic stress disorder (which they didn’t diagnose in those days).

    My husband served in the Air Force for ten years and we were stationed in Japan during the the first Gulf War. Both of his parents were in the Army and his father served two tours in Vietnam.

    Our family is well aware of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the military and we honor all those who have given their lives in service to our country. I’d also like to remember the spouses and children of our military personnel because life on the home front can be very difficult and they don’t always get enough credit for their support.

    • lynda says:

      So very true, Liz. Families of our military personnel often suffer in silence, especially the kids. We need to remember the sacrifices made by everyone, whether they wear a uniform or not.
      Thanks for sharing.

  3. Kim MacCarron says:

    Lynda,
    What a nice post. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Memorial Day is about remembering those who served our country and not just about cookouts and a day free of school and work.
    My grandfather was stationed at West Point, so he didn’t fight in the war, but he was the most patriotic man I’ve ever known. The only time he ever yelled at me was when I let the corner of the flag accidentally touch the ground as I was helping him fold it. Every time I see the flag fly, I think of him and his love of this country.
    I worked in a veteran service organization for several years, and I could sit and listen to veterans talk for hours about their experiences. So many stories. So much pain and loss. But, through it all, just a strong belief in our country and the tremendous commitment to those who served with them.

    • Lynda says:

      Kim~
      Thanks for much for stopping by and sharing.
      I worked along side a Viet Nam vet a number of years ago. Vance was a great guy; funny, smart, good-looking *wink*. He didn’t talk much about the war, but when he did it was a story that stuck with you. While I haven’t seen Vance in years, I still remember those stories. Just like we all need to remember the military folks who have served – and who continue to serve – this country.

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