Recognizing A Civilization That Works Through Honest Sacrifice

Today, the preacher asked all those who had served in the Armed Services, had family members serve, stand up. There were a quantity.
I sat.

None I know of in my family have ever gone to war or even served in the Armed Forces.

We are patriots.

Memorial Day when I was a kid was when all families went to the cemetery and cleaned up and left flowers from the garden. In my town, the mulberries were ripening, and we kids would climb the trees, eat the berries and what we didn't eat, zing at each other.

I was the surviving child of three my parents had to nurture. They lost two.

I thought Memorial Day meant we all remembered all our dead. I had good parents. I still was highly conscious of dead siblings. Memorial Day was almost a balm, when we took flowers to the brother and sister I never would know. Never did. But they were there. I had no idea Memorial Day didn't honor them at all. Not for years.

I agree we should applaud dead soldiers.

I still am surprised we have no day of remembrance in society for the people we all have lost. As a kid, I thought the day included my dead brother and sister. No. No day does.

I am so glad for our heroes.

They do deserve recognition.

After Pearl Harbor, my dad was too old. Everyone was applying. He got into war bond efforts. I understand my county had some stellar amounts, thanks to my dad. He helped. He worked. He was not in battle. He helped pay for it.

In 100 years or more, both sides, I know of no one in my family who has ever served.

I used to apologize. But. Without the war bonds my dad sold, the war could not have continued. Without the victory garden he planted, many might have gone hungry. My mother taught students her course but also, often, how to survive. She lost two children and reared me. And gave my family so much laughter.

I treasure the heroes we recognize. In my heart, as well, I also am giving tribute to those we never recognize, the ones who also keep us going.

You may be one of them.