In years past for me, it has been about those who gave all, as Grokster Steve points out here. That simple drawing shows the gratitude for all the sacrifices that millions have given to our country, to us, and to me personally. I have, as I have explained here many times, never served, so I cannot know what must be going through those heroes’ minds just before that last moment (if indeed they ever realized that moment had come). For country – for ideals larger than themselves? For family – “I go, so that they don’t have to”? Or for their comrades around them – that bond that exists between “those in the foxholes” that we civilians will never know (as BlackFive talks about what one of his friend did for his comrades, his troops)? No matter the reason, we should all remember that in relation to all of us “back here”, they led from the front. They stood the watch, putting themselves between us and those that would do us harm. They went, no matter the reason, to their training, to their units, and ultimately, to their destiny, voluntarily. What men these must be, even knowing that all may be required and the sorrow and loss that will befall their loved ones?
For we must always remember that their sacrifice not only affects their lives, but their buddies and their families and friends for years to come. I looked at that little boy stands in front of that cross standing there in sorrow and thought, and the memories of when the Eldest (“At the end of the driveway“) left for Marine boot camp and the Youngest to the Army (“A hug in the doorway and then he was gone…“) came rushing back and yes, it is hard to type now even as those events happened years ago. Both are home (Iraq and Afghanistan) but worse for wear in different ways. Their part of sacrifice will never be over – one physical and the other both physical and mentally. Both will be dealing with these for years to com even (perhaps) lifelong.
And with each hurdle, each roadblock, each difficulty will not only be theirs but TMEW’s and mine as well, as Mom’s saying only becomes more persistent and louder at each problem. Each is different and each is unique. “You will always be a parent” – yes, Mom, I will be; for their sacrifice, in part or in whole, is mine as well. Gladly, for unlike those whose loved one have earned their eternal rest on our behalf, I can still hold and hug and aid them in their time of need – or just listen to their words of anger and hurt. Or more often, their silence. They may not know that they are speaking even then, but you, a parent, knows it very well. Tens of millions of you understand exactly what I mean – my heart goes out to all of you because at times, there is little we can do for them but to just be there. Today, I remember you as well, for we have met.
We normally reserve this day, Memorial Day, for those that are no longer with us, for sacrifices past. We gather, we march, we are silent for a few minutes of meditation and thanks. We look around and shake the hands that need to be shook, with words of gratitude, not platitudes, issuing from our lips that ARE meant wholeheartedly.
In years past, that is what it has meant for me. This year, I give thanks not only to our veterans but to their families as well. For me, this year, it is also those that are still with us and for their families that need to be there for them. May God grant you peace and strength this day and going forward; I thank you all for your sacrifice on their behalf. What I wrote, now years ago, still holds:
“For now I, along with millions of others like me, stand with his Dad at the end of his driveway.”
To Groksters Don, Mike, Rick, Tim, Tom (and honorary Grokster Alan), I thank you for your service and for your sacrifices done in our name. To your families, I say thank you as well. Godspeed to you all.
