Just a Repost
Two or three times a year some of us older folks get a bit tangled up in memories (or memories of memories). Late April and much of May are my primary dates.
Late April because my pop was declared KIA in Korea on April 25, 1951.
Early May because I was discharged from the Navy after spending over a year around Vietnam, on May 9, 1969.
And then there is Memorial Day. The advertisements for sales and off topic events are difficult to avoid.
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I was an Army brat the first few years of my life. I have vague memories (or memories of memories?) of several Army posts; in Georgia, in Arizona, and another place or two. Then my dad was deployed to some place called Korea in 1950.
Three additional memories are a bit more vivid – the day we were notified he was Missing in Action and, sometime later, that his remains had been recovered, and finally, his funeral. I wasn’t allowed to go.
I have a Purple Heart.
He is buried in our home town, and there’s a small memorial in the city park there with his name inscribed. I visit both as often as I can. Even though I was only five or six at the time and will be 68 in about a month I still miss him. I have pictures and memories, and…
I have a Purple Heart.
For many others, like myself, Memorial Day has a face.
We’re past the 50 year anniversary of Vietnam and there is a wall FULL of my brothers and sisters who earned a Purple Heart
So don’t wish me a happy Memorial Day because…
I have a Purple Heart!
Category: Geezer Alert!
Zero Ponsdorf, thank you for your article. I thank you for serving and I thank your father for “giving the last full measure of devotion” to our country. God bless you and your family this Memorial Day.
Thank you Zero for this….
I am sorry for your loss and give you my deepest gratitude for his service and yours.
I won’t wish you a Happy Memorial Day, but I do wish you a hug and peace in thoughts. Thank you, won’t cover what you and your family have given for this country, but I say it hoping you know that your service and that of your Father’s is remembered by a grateful many. Thank you for a beautiful article also.
My grandfather led waves of landing craft in most of the island assaults in the Pacific in WWII. My father flew all kinds of aircraft into every airfield in Viet Nam. I’ve had some interesting times from ’74 to present. This weekend I will work in the garden, have a cigar or two, drink some Stone beers, and love my family.
Every year, as a kid, my Gram dressed us all up in Red, White and Blue. We attended the parade in town where local drum and bugle corps would play.
I remember many. My great uncle, downed in the sinking of the USS Dorchester, in 1943. My other great uncles who served, Raymond, Ben, Billy, Bob. RIP.
And my friends, Mike, Dave, Karen, Felipe.
There is no other group of people like your comrades in arms.