Please take a few minutes out of your day to honor the memory of those who fought and died for your freedom. To me it is not a "Happy" Memorial Day and I cringe when I hear that appellation. For me it is a somber day and one of reflection. I will attend our town's small memorial service in from of the flag pole and wars memorial. I will hang my old dog tags around my neck and wear them all day to remind myself of the past. I will remove from my wallet the list of 25 Marine and Navy Corpsman who I served with whose names are forever engraved on black granite and read them to myself. It is a reminder of how lucky I was to come home whole and how my friends never got the chance to live to an old age. Why do I keep this list with me always? Because it is an article of faith among Marines that as long as we remember our fallen they have not died in vain and will live forever.
And my parents:
Raymond Anderson Electricians Mate 3 USS Blenny SS324 1943-46
Eleanor Anderson Yeoman Q 2 Cryptographic Section Navy Dept 1942-45
Dave Anderson Cpl USMC
B 1/7 1968
1st Combined Action Group 1969