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| "Do You Have What it Takes to Fill These Boots"? |
Honor; Sacrifice; Duty; Teamwork; Fortitude; Bravery; Loyalty
Those making the Memorial Day speeches honoring our veterans most likely never tasted battle, those good people attending parades do their best to bestow their love and respect and those shouting the loudest accolades most likely are career politicians who never tasted war and damn well made sure that none of their siblings would.
My Dad was a WWII Veteran having endured the horrors of war in the Pacific. While on an expedition through the jungle he watched his Platoon Sergeant step on a concealed landmine and vaporize in front of him.
After being gone for four years, he came home, thin and weak, war weary, with poor health, missing teeth, Malaria and PTSD.
At home he didn't talk about what he had seen and endured while overseas but when he and his buddies did get together over a few beers, they would recount acts of valor along with detailed information on the smells, sounds and carnage they all witnessed.
I saw him cry and remember him banging his cold beer on a table as his voice started to crack talking about far away places and the buddies he served with, his regrets and his deep, deep passion and love for being able to serve his country.
After WWII he was shipped off to Korea and the Korean War.
There are no words in the dictionary to honor the men and women who still continue to sacrifice today on behalf of their country, under incredibly dangerous working conditions and having to leave families behind for months at a time to cope with everyday life.
From one who grew up with a Father who started out as enlisted and worked his way through school at Northeastern University, (to improve the family's financial well being) and ending up with the rank of Lt Colonel when he retired, I know a little of why he made some of the decisions he did and what my Dad went through.
My Mother and I shoveled snow that was over my head during the winter so he could drive his car into the garage on the weekends and then he'd leave for Boston, again.
I saw the tired lines etched into his face and the look when he had to say "good bye", leaving us once again.
To you, Dad, and To All the Rest of You Brave Soldiers Out There, You are Not Forgotten,
You are Loved,
Thank You, All,
Till we meet again, Dad,
Your Daughter, Cindy
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