Memorial Day Salute to All the Vets and Active Duty Military Men and Women

[KG_Jag]

The sun has just set in the West and it is already Memorial Day in the East. My thoughts and prayers turn to all who have served and to those who are serving in the armed forces.

My initial focus is on the World War II vets, those of my father's generation. My dad served in the Navy. One of my two uncles served in the Pacific. Not long after returning home, he died of cancer. I never had the honor of meeting him. My other uncle was a NCO in the ETO and still serves the small Illinois community in which he was born and still lives. My great uncle was a cavalry man before the war and was a Major in an Armor CCR in France, Germany and Czechoslovakia during 1944 and 1945. He retired from Army. The latter two earned the Bronze Star. Neither talked much of their combat experience, at least not to their kids. Nor did many of men I knew from that generation, at least not until they reached their 70's and 80's. Even then it was only when I asked.

These men, as well as the women who served--including our next door neighbor who was an ETO Army nurse, command my greatest respect and admiration for their service and sacrifices. Even those who came back and were not seriously wounded gave years of their youth to defend us and make the world a better place. In that way, they are not unlike the vets who came before them and the soldiers, sailors and marines who serve us today.

Eyes right. God bless them, every one.