Post your Memorial Day Tributes/Thoughts Here

My grandfather died when I was in my second year of law school.  He was a great man in my eyes.  There wasn't a singel sporting even or school function that I didn't look up into the stands or out in the audiance and see his shinning eyes. 

I knew he served in Europe in WWII, he was in an armored infantry unit.  My grandfather was very reserved with his personal thoughts, but as a young boy I was fascinated with WWII, as I think most boys of my generation were.  My notion of WWII was what I saw from John Wayne movies and the like.  As reserved as my grandfather was he would at times give me glimpses and brief looks at what his time in Europe was like.  I think other than my grandmother, I was probably privie to more of his feelings about the war than anyone in the family. 

About 10 years after my grandfathers death, my aunt was looking through boxes in the attic and found my grandfathers dress uniform, and his discharge papers.  It was only then that the family learned that my grandfather was a decorate veteran.  His discharge papers indicated that he had served in the campaigns in Norther France, The Ardeans( SP?) and the Rhineland.  It was funny not a single person in the family knew that my grandfather had been decorated while serrving in the Ardean forrest.

So to all the silent heros of all the conflicts fought on behlaf of this country, Thank you. 

Just so these two threads will be easy to find for everyone....

Memorial Day 2007

Michael

I posted this in my blog today...

My father was in the Navy after he graduated from college.  It was during the Korean war.  My grandfather swore my dad never would have grown up had it not been for the Navy.  Nice try, but he really never DID grow up, which was one of the magical things about him, one of the many reasons his children adored him, and why he was an awesome pediatrician.  The flag from my dad's funeral is among my prized possessions.

My step-father, Charlie, is one of the most fascinating people on the planet.  He is a psychologist by trade and has voluntarily devoted much of his free time to veterans' affairs.  He testifies before Congress on a regular basis, is interviewed by CNN and other news organizations as an expert on WWII, POW/MIA/VA issues as well as post traumatic stress disorder.  He is invited to the White House on a regular basis (but refuses to go as he is not too keen on our current president) and was instrumental in pushing forward the WWII memorial in D.C.  His passion for this work comes from the fact that he, himself, was a prisoner of war.  He walks with difficulty not because of his age but because he was pushed off of a moving train by some Nazi soldiers.  The stories he tells of how he survived in captivity keep you on the edge of your seat.  He has every right to be a little bitter, but he is far from it.  He is incrediby unassuming and defines a hero in my book.

So for my dad and for Charlie and the millions of men and women who have served or currently serve in our armed forces, enjoy your family, your friends and your freedom today. 

A shout out to Derek Argel.  USAF CCT KIA in Iraq on Memorial Day 2 years ago.  Aside from being one of the most physically gifted people I had ever had the pleasure of seeing in action he was a genuinely good guy.  Loving Father and Husband.  We miss you DA.

bts