In thinking of what to say this Memorial Day, I recently received the thoughts from one of my VFW post member’s fellow veterans. This Veteran served in the RVN (Republic of Vietnam) so long ago and later came to the United States and continued to serve us all. His words say it all, and I feel I could not have said it any better. So I am posting it here today.
As we approach another Memorial Day, so often celebrated by many as a holiday to enjoy beach and barbecue, it is so important to remember why this day is called Memorial Day: To cause us to pause, to appreciate the sacrifices made by so many, most of them young men who never had a chance to live out their lives, as we have been able to do. Veterans appreciate too well the risks involved in service, concepts that are not knowable by those who have never been in the military. For those of us who have known the threat of combat, remembering those we knew who are absent today is palpable. Those who have been in the military, but who were spared the experience of combat might have simply been lucky in terms of timing, skill or assignment. Those others, who never wore a uniform of any color, who have never tasted the consequent fear or threat – perhaps in any meaningful way in their lifetimes – should be especially appreciative of what was risked by all – and given by too many – so that they may live the secure lives they lead.
Political positions, agreement or not with government policies, serving in the military is a special undertaking, and it carries its own set of risks, rewards, and hardships unknown to others.
And so, because I think it’s important to remember the great number of men and women – mostly men – that we will never know, who left their world early, every day but especially on Memorial Day. And I think it’s also important to remember those we knew in our military lives who are still here. We’re getting old – lucky for us – and we won’t be here forever. While we should remember those who are gone, we should also celebrate and be in touch with those who are still with us. So:
Call an old veteran you haven’t spoken to in a long time – perhaps decades – and tell him you were thinking of him and thought you would say hello. While there’s still time to do so. He’ll be thrilled to hear from you.
And to those who tomorrow will say to me `Happy Memorial Day’, I will say `It’s not about being happy. It’s about being grateful. Be that, and now enjoy your barbecue’.
Bruce McInnes, Stagecoach 27, Ban Me Thuot, RVN
I was also very moved by this tribute and story which aired Sunday morning. What a man, what service to us all. He expresses all we need to know about Memorial Day.
Semper Fi, Woody….God Bless You for all you have done and are doing.
Captain
Be safe everyone and never forget our Veterans, pick up the phone and make a live call and forget the text messages.
Captain Montefusco
