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It was 4 years after I got of our the Army before I'd really acknowledge I had been in the military. Not because I was mad, or felt slighted by anyone like our Vietnam Vets, or anything like that, quite to the contrary. It's because while conflicts happened during my tenure, I was, with one exception, always very safe, very secure, and definitely not in the line of fire. I was in intelligence (put your oxymoron joke here) and provided those in the know the information they needed when needed, but for the most part I was very safe.
Yes, I went through the same basic and advanced soldier training, had the same weekly/monthly drills, took the same P/T test, and got promoted by the same standards. I was just one of the fortunate ones that had a job that required I be left behind for the most part.
But I'm rambling ...so back on topic....Memorial day was established to honor those soldiers, regardless of their branch of service, that gave not just the potential of sacrifice, but gave their life for our country.
I live in a small town, and over the 150 years we've had those sacrifices. From the 18 that went to the Alamo to help Travis, and through the centuries, our town has offered it's young men in sacrifice.
Thankfully I was never in the position that I ever had to make such a sacrifice. I'm not saying at the time I wouldn't have, but Memorial Day is for those that did.
A walk through a cemetery in Gonzales will provide you lots of fallen heroes to honor. I'm sure where ever you live there are those who have do the same.
I spoke to my cousin this week who is also a proud vet. She had very similar feelings as I do, so I know I'm not alone in my thoughts as a veteran. Give us thanks, buy us a beer on Veterans Day and we'll smile and say thanks, that's the proper time for that.
If you want to make a burnt offering (BBQ for short) to those that went and gave their lives for our freedom, please do so. Lift a glass of beer to them in remembrance, I think they'd like that. But let's keep in mind what Memorial Day is really about. It's about the men and women that have gone to their graves making sure you and I have the right to be free. Knowing soldiers like I do, most of them would say while they didn't plan on getting killed, but we all knew it was part of the bargain we made when we signed up. True heroes.
By the way, I proudly stand up now when a call for all veterans in the audience. I guess it just took me time to process it all. I did my time and did it proudly. Can't say I was the best soldier there ever was, but I was good at what I did. And I'm proud to be a vet!
God Bless America,
Dennis
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