redwitch
05-25-2008, 01:52 PM
I've been fortunate to have lived in many places of the world as a child. I am also fortunate that my parents made friends with many in these countries and I have been able to return to these places and friends as an adult.
For me, Memorial Day isn't just a day of remembering our military but the families of all military personnel, especially those who have lost a loved one due to war. I'm including those of other nations as well. No matter what side someone fought and died for, the pain the family feels is just as intense.
My mother lost her entire family in WWII. Two were cousins in the Luftwaffe. One was in the Wehrmacht. The rest were in concentration camps (pure Aryans -- Goebbels wanted and got my great-grandfather's land outside of Berlin). My father and his brothers all served in the military in WWII for the USA. Fortunately, all survived. I honor and say a special prayer for my mother's cousins and my father, brother and uncles on Memorial Day.
I have dear friends in Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Turkey, Greece, England, Germany, Canada, Iran, Israel, Kenya and Somalia. I've met many of their friends. There is no one who has not been touched by war in some way. So, I salute and honor all those who have been injured, maimed and killed in the wars of the world. Just as importantly, I remember with an open heart those families who have paid the ultimate price of losing someone precious in a war.
Most importantly, I thank those who serve and fight or who have served and fought to protect America's precious freedoms. We owe you all a debt that can never be repaid. So, hoo-rah!, Semper FI and a huge thank you from this Army brat.
For me, Memorial Day isn't just a day of remembering our military but the families of all military personnel, especially those who have lost a loved one due to war. I'm including those of other nations as well. No matter what side someone fought and died for, the pain the family feels is just as intense.
My mother lost her entire family in WWII. Two were cousins in the Luftwaffe. One was in the Wehrmacht. The rest were in concentration camps (pure Aryans -- Goebbels wanted and got my great-grandfather's land outside of Berlin). My father and his brothers all served in the military in WWII for the USA. Fortunately, all survived. I honor and say a special prayer for my mother's cousins and my father, brother and uncles on Memorial Day.
I have dear friends in Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Turkey, Greece, England, Germany, Canada, Iran, Israel, Kenya and Somalia. I've met many of their friends. There is no one who has not been touched by war in some way. So, I salute and honor all those who have been injured, maimed and killed in the wars of the world. Just as importantly, I remember with an open heart those families who have paid the ultimate price of losing someone precious in a war.
Most importantly, I thank those who serve and fight or who have served and fought to protect America's precious freedoms. We owe you all a debt that can never be repaid. So, hoo-rah!, Semper FI and a huge thank you from this Army brat.