To this Memorial Holiday weekend. Feel free to share your friends and (or) family member(s) who gave all.
My share - an annual reflection on HT:
I would imagine most Americans have some direct or indirect link to an American soldier who gave all for our Country. Today, tomorrow, and Monday I shall tip my glass of Woodford Reserve to all who served and to those who gave all. To all who served and serving - We all hold varied beliefs and I fully respect all. I believe my Uncle John looks upon you with full respect and understanding of your service - he is with you in spirit. I am with you as I know many carry the weight of lost family, and military defined brothers and sisters.
**May all enjoy your cookouts, vacation trips to our National Parks, among other means to enjoy this holiday from work alone or with family - To humbly give a nod to those who gave all so you and your family may enjoy this holiday. Maybe, if to request, share with the young ones the meaning of this "Holiday", Lest we forget...
Background for this most humble of American Holidays -
Per a private investigator, hired by my grandparents, the general info: Uncle John's squad was ambushed by the North Vietnamese. The machine gunner was laying suppressing fire as they went for cover. He was hit. Uncle John took over as they retrieved the gunner. John was hit three times while continuing to hold back the enemy. His actions eventually caused the NVA to retreat and reduced the ambush to occasional small arms fire, on and off. His buddies extracted John however the LZ was too hot and the Hueys were unable to land. His teammates humped to a new LZ. Unfortunately, Uncle John passed along the way. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star as his actions, described by his fellow brothers, saved their lives. His bronze Star was from a previous incident.
My Grandmother passed a chest she kept of my Uncle John's folded flag, mementos, medals, letters, etc to me in her will.
She is an extremely proud American who is photo present in WW II museums as one of the first of NAVY WAVES - as an aircraft Mechanic, where she met my Grandfather - a Navy man.
One such comment by her for WW II War Bonds, excitedly noted:
I share this portion to express her service to our country - while holding the pain of losing her son. She once shared with me, "It took me nine months to bring John into this world and the same for our country to take him out." (As best I recall). Is it a bitterness mixed with pride(?). The conundrum of lives lost by proud families defined by their country of allegiance as this setting spans beyond America.
This song reminds me of my Uncle John.
"I opened up the glove box and that's when I found the note
The date was 1966 and this is what he wrote:
He said, my name is Private Andrew Malone
And if you're reading this, then I didn't make it home
But for every dream that's shattered, another one comes true
This car was once a dream of mine, now it belongs to you
And though you may take her and make her your own
You'll always be riding with Private Malone"
I figure you're smiling and occasionally frowning on my life's journey. Thank you, your brothers, and sisters who gave all. May you all rest in peace.
My share - an annual reflection on HT:
I would imagine most Americans have some direct or indirect link to an American soldier who gave all for our Country. Today, tomorrow, and Monday I shall tip my glass of Woodford Reserve to all who served and to those who gave all. To all who served and serving - We all hold varied beliefs and I fully respect all. I believe my Uncle John looks upon you with full respect and understanding of your service - he is with you in spirit. I am with you as I know many carry the weight of lost family, and military defined brothers and sisters.
**May all enjoy your cookouts, vacation trips to our National Parks, among other means to enjoy this holiday from work alone or with family - To humbly give a nod to those who gave all so you and your family may enjoy this holiday. Maybe, if to request, share with the young ones the meaning of this "Holiday", Lest we forget...
Background for this most humble of American Holidays -
Per a private investigator, hired by my grandparents, the general info: Uncle John's squad was ambushed by the North Vietnamese. The machine gunner was laying suppressing fire as they went for cover. He was hit. Uncle John took over as they retrieved the gunner. John was hit three times while continuing to hold back the enemy. His actions eventually caused the NVA to retreat and reduced the ambush to occasional small arms fire, on and off. His buddies extracted John however the LZ was too hot and the Hueys were unable to land. His teammates humped to a new LZ. Unfortunately, Uncle John passed along the way. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star as his actions, described by his fellow brothers, saved their lives. His bronze Star was from a previous incident.
My Grandmother passed a chest she kept of my Uncle John's folded flag, mementos, medals, letters, etc to me in her will.
She is an extremely proud American who is photo present in WW II museums as one of the first of NAVY WAVES - as an aircraft Mechanic, where she met my Grandfather - a Navy man.
One such comment by her for WW II War Bonds, excitedly noted:
I share this portion to express her service to our country - while holding the pain of losing her son. She once shared with me, "It took me nine months to bring John into this world and the same for our country to take him out." (As best I recall). Is it a bitterness mixed with pride(?). The conundrum of lives lost by proud families defined by their country of allegiance as this setting spans beyond America.
This song reminds me of my Uncle John.
"I opened up the glove box and that's when I found the note
The date was 1966 and this is what he wrote:
He said, my name is Private Andrew Malone
And if you're reading this, then I didn't make it home
But for every dream that's shattered, another one comes true
This car was once a dream of mine, now it belongs to you
And though you may take her and make her your own
You'll always be riding with Private Malone"
I figure you're smiling and occasionally frowning on my life's journey. Thank you, your brothers, and sisters who gave all. May you all rest in peace.
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