Memorial Day Touches Each of Us
Every Memorial Day, we remember and honor our war dead, our fallen soldiers, and we give thanks for their service to our country. It's a day when I look around me and realize that every one of us is touched by Memorial Day. We have all lost someone who served in war.
And I remember and honor: My dad and his brothers, who despite having jobs here in the U.S. that would have kept them from serving in WWII, enlisted and served overseas. In the Army and the Navy, they were the lucky ones who came home with minor injuries after the war.
My father was in France when the war finally ended, and he told us how the French people vied to shake his hand, to kiss him, to thank him so profusely for helping to end the war. In those moments, he felt the full impact of representing to these people the American soldiers who helped make such a difference in the outcome of that war. And he felt justifiably proud.
He taught my sisters and I to mourn with him all those killed in the war, to honor their memories, to respect the service they gave, and the price they paid to help bring people out of the oppression of Hitler and his like.
As a small child, I learned the words to sing to the very poignant music of Taps. To this day, the sound of Taps brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat, as I remember and honor our fallen soldiers.
Safely rest, Dad. We remember you today and every day.
Memorial Day Touches Each of Us
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