Memorial Day

Today's reflections are for the many, many men & women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  My father died during the Korea "conflict", but let's call it what it is, WAR.  He did not die in action but was in the military at the time.  He shouldn't have died, but for whatever reason, which I won't make any judgements on, his jeep overturned & he died of a broken neck.  No roll bars on military jeeps in 1953.  So I think of him & honor him in memory today. 

What does it take to go wherever the military, our government, tells you to go?  How do men & women make the choice to enlist?  What kind of courage does it take to know when you are shipped out or deployed or whatever the correct word is, that you could die during your tour of duty?  Is it a sense of honor, duty, or even a bond so strong to your fellow men/women in arms that makes you strong enough to endure a possible fate of not coming home?  Just how do they do it?

Living in a largely military area of the country, I see men & women in uniform quite often. My former husband was in the military & I lived in the military community from 1977 to 1999.  They have their own language, as any profession does, they have their housing, their own clothing, their own stores, & they are a very tight-knit group of military & civilians.  They take a great deal of pride that their loved ones serve their country even if they don't always agree with the politics, they have a different mentality.  Their only concern is to protect in whatever way they are asked.  I think no matter what your reason for joining the military, it is an honorable way to show, in this case, live your patriotism. 

How patriotic are you?  What kind of pride do you take in our country? Right or wrong, do you participate? I get very uncomfortable with my apathy that I sometimes feel as I grow older.  Not that I'm not still voting or have an opinion!  I've got lots of opinions, but it's the politics that really get me down.  But I digress here from my point.

I am thoughtful of so many who have died for their country.   The losses during all the wars our country has fought.  It's not just about today's wars, but Vietnam, Korea, WW I & II, & so many other wars. 

May they rest in peace.