Memorial Day: A Day of Rememberance

Memorial Day: It is a day to remember the soldiers of battles, great service and wars. The last 10 years have brought a clearer picture of what war is like and the price of freedom as family on family has received their lost loved one and laid them to rest.

I come from a long line of soldiers in my family,including my Uncle Jack whom I wrote about recently. In the 1940's, he was drafted into World War II. Many years in my life I don't recall him ever speaking of the experiences. That was until the year he was struggling with cancer when I was in Florida in his last months.

I asked him about it, he smiled his humble smile and simply said,"They drafted us, and we went in I was 18 and was a quiet kid. We did our boot camp, and I wound up being a guard for the Japanese  soldier  prisoners."

I replied to him that must have been an exciting time in his life to be there during a time so documented in American history.

He looked back at me and kind of lowered his head. "Actually I am proud to have served in the military, but at that time in life I was so terrified that if they would've said 'boo,' I would have jumped out of my skin. It was after they had dropped that big bomb and the suffering was absolute incomprehensible to me. I did whatever it was they told me. I was no hero. War wasn't for me."

Uncle Jack never had a mean bone in his body.

My own grandfather also served that War. His only comment on the war was "I was a cook. We cooked for the troops cleaning up after the bomb.That is why I never help your grandmother peel potatoes. I peeled potatoes day and night. Nope, I ain't never peeling another tater."      

And he never did.

The rest of them, like my dad, served when there wasn't a war going on, but several of my cousins have served.

I celebrate Memorial Day every time I see man or woman in uniform.  I make sure to thank them for their time and let them know that I appreciate them and their families for their sacrifice. I volunteer when I can at the USO with the American Legion Post 264 in Mableton, and I keep a membership with the post 264.

I have also went down a few times at the VA. My neighbor next door to me is a Vietnam vet. He suffers from lung cancer  from being exposed to the Agent Orange that was sprayed on our troops. This nation is blessed to have so many brave men and women who lay everything that they hold dear on the line. They work long hard hours, go through hours of extensive training and exercises. They do it with great  pride and sacrifice, both physical and personal.

I encourage you to reach out to an organization that supports the troops and make a donation of your time or your money and recognize the heroes among us. Seek out a way to help our law enforcement and fire fighters. Make sure they know we care on more than just Memorial Day. 

Personally I dedicate this article to Cobb County Police Lt. James Bullock .He serves this community, and he also is a reservest still for this country. I am very inspired to know such a great guy. I am thankful to all you heroes. Happy Memorial Day!