For Veteran's Day

For Veteran's Day, I decided to pass along a piece I wrote back in May about Memorial Day. Although they are two separate holidays, the message remains the same. Please remember on this day to honor those who served and keep them in your thoughts. I know you hear that often, but I hope this might inspire you to actually do it. Here's the actual link with a very nice comment from a Veteran at the bottom. http://celticsmusichotbitches.blogspot.com/2009/05/day-of-lost.html
Not To Be Forgotten
by Conor Levis

What does Memorial Day mean to you? It's a day that often means different things to different people. Maybe it's a day off from work, maybe it's a day off from school. Maybe it's a beach day, a cookout, or a time to observe fireworks. Or maybe you celebrate the day for it's true meaning. Unfortunately, it seems that the latter is in the minority these days. For most people, the holiday has become just another day in a long weekend. And really... who can blame them? When the weather gets nice and people can take time out of their busy lives, it's hard to fully appreciate something that doesn't resemble a major holiday. I'll admit, in the past Memorial Day was always just another day to me. Not the day that's supposed to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. That is...up until recently.

A few months back, I had just finished a short, solid shift at work and feeling a bit more upbeat and high spirited than usual. I was walking out to the parking lot when I spotted a man wearing veteran clothing. He must have seen me looking because he began staring in my direction as he approached. It was a stare of familiarity as I had seen this man around there before. I decided to say something to him as I was about to pass. I noticed he was wearing a hat that said Vietnam Veteran, so I decided to ask him the obvious question. "Where did you serve?" the only thing that came out on the spot. "Vietnam", he responded as he came to a complete stop. I wanted to make it short and sweet so I simply reached out to shake his hand. "Thank you" is all I said as I looked him in the eye. He looked back at me almost a bit confused or perturbed. I wasn't sure if I had said or did something wrong so I took a step forward to walk away but he grabbed my shoulder to stop me. Then he said something I will remember for the rest of my life. "You know, you're one of the only people to thank me since I've been back", he said with tears in his eyes. The Vietnam War ended 34 years ago. I had no idea what to say next. As tears trickled down his face, I was happy because I felt I had done something good but so sad for this man at the same time. I basically let him know that there were others out there who felt the same way and that his service was greatly appreciated. He shook my hand again and walked away, almost like he was a little embarrassed. He had nothing to be embarrassed about.

Why had this man been so unappreciated after returning from war? I did some reading and research on it and found that this was much more common than people would think. I didn't realize how badly Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home. Because the Vietnam War was the most unpopular and greatly protested war in this country's history, many people who were frustrated with the government back in the mid 60's to early 70's began taking it out on the soldiers. The press began spinning the returning news to negatively change public perception and painted our soldiers as "baby killers" who would willingly kill innocent people. Protesters would show up at the airport to heckle and ridicule some of our returning men. Vets would refuse to wear their uniforms upon return to avoid the backlash. It still blows my mind how this could have been when most of the men serving were being drafted and had no say on whether to fight or not. How can you fault them when those factors are at play?

Thinking about it now, I can still picture his face. The more I look back, I start to realize that there was more behind those tears than one man's nonrecognition. Behind each tear was a story. All the things he had seen, the pain and suffering he had endured, but more importantly...the friends and comrades he may have lost along the way. And that's what the holiday is all about.

Yesterday I spent Memorial Day like I do every other one. Hanging out with friends, lounging poolside, even went kayaking. But in spite of all this, my mind stayed elsewhere. I was quiet all day for the most part and even had a few friends ask me if something was wrong. I thought about my friend from a few months ago and the friends he must have lost. I thought about the youth of my generation that are serving as I write this and the lives that are lost each and every day. I finally felt in touch with this great day that we take for granted. So I ask again...What does it mean to you?