Memorial Day

[Dr.Jass]

I just wanted to thank all the veterans that have fought to defend our freedom, offering their lives for those of others. Though none of them have paid the ultimate price, my Dad, uncles, brother and many other family members have served in the military and should be honored for that service.

It was a bittersweet day for me. I visited my Dad's grave for the first time in a number of years; it's not that I don't want to go there but it's a long hike from my house and I hate asking people as it can be awkward. Today, some friends made a special trip just to take me there, going well out of their way to do so and not at my request. Dave knew my Dad well; he was one of those guys that would go hang with my Dad after I was gone to college. We had a lot of laughs talking about those days so long ago. Kristin laughed along with us, and wished she'd have known him. I also cried once or twice, or maybe more. I remembered the burial like it was last week.

We spent well over an hour there; there was nothing awkward about it to my two friends.

At ease, Marine. Rest thee well.

 

[71ChargerRT]

I'll second that. My great grandfather was in the US Cavalry, when it was still on horseback before WWI My grandfather fought in WWII in the Army, caught malaria in the Philippines and almost died on the ship coming home. My dad did 4 in the USAF and 4 more in the Army with almost 2 years of that in S. Korea 78-80. My uncle and his son both spent 4 in the Army, mostly in Germany, my uncle was there when it was still partly communist controlled. Another cousin did 4 in the USAF. My cousin's husband is presently in Afganistan, and will be there for almost 18 more months.

A sincere, heartfelt thank you to all the vets, from all 5 branches, stateside or deployed, in times of peace or war.

 

[Dr.Jass]

I was talking with my cousin's daughter earlier, and we were dicussing the military heritage on the Payant side of the family. She did not know that her Grandpa (my uncle) dropped out of college to fight in WWII, then left his job to re-enlist and go to Korea (now with a Master's Degree) and fight. My Dad's Dad was in WWI, my grandmother served in the Women's Auxiliary (I still have her medal), etc.

Of course, Dad, being a Marine, thought all those Army family members were damned sissies.