Memorial Day Memories

Another Memorial Day has come and gone. It will be remembered by most as a day of barbeques, lounging by the pool or beach or simply a relaxing day away from work. Few will contemplate the true meaning of the day, or the sacrifices that made, and continue to make it possible for Americans to enjoy days like this.

The wars of the past, fought in another time and in other places, are distant memories, as are many of the participants.   The wars of the present tend to be equally distant, until a wounded veteran, a military funeral or a news flash about activities in a foreign land captures public attention. And the sacrifices made by the veterans whom we celebrate on Memorial Day are easy to forget because those who went into battle and survived, rarely talk about it or seek recognition. My father-in-law was one of those veterans.

By the time I met him, more than 30 years had passed since he served in the military. He had long since settled into civilian life, gotten married, built his own business and raised a daughter. Over time, I learned (not from him) that he had joined the Marines during World War II, spent weeks at a time scouting islands held by the Japanese, was awarded two Purple Hearts, (he was shot in the arm and in the head) and was part of the landing at Iwo Jima.

Eventually we had conversations that would touch obliquely on his military experience. He once remarked offhandedly that his head wound was only superficial and might have been much worse had he not been "fast as hell back in those days". His other comments were largely confined to his travels and non-military activities.

Chances are you know a veteran very much like my father-in-law. He or she won't talk much, if at all about combat details or personal sacrifices and won't seek recognition or accolades. And most of the people they know won't express their appreciation or acknowledge the sacrifices they made. Not because they're uncaring or unconcerned, but because they rarely consider the profound effect of words of appreciation. Those words should be spoken long after each Memorial Day becomes a memory.