What am I Doing Here?

Re: Memorial Day Day 3839 May 17

Day 3839 May 17, 2025

Re: Memorial day

This day is to remember the men and women who gave our country a “blank check” when recruited to use as it needed. That may sound funny but that is how my brother expresses it.
My family does believe in honor and service for our country.
Four members gave that blank check and it was cashed for three of these members. My father was a doctor and was sent to Alaska for WW II. This was before it became a state so it is classified as foreign service. He came home and went into his practice.
My mother was a nurse. She wanted to serve abroad as did a friend of hers but the government found her foreign language important when the German prisoners of war were sent to the US during WW II.
My oldest brother had an eye accident and the recruiter decided that he was a good recruit but the accident may impair duties so he got an honorable discharge.
My other brother went to Vietnam and returned after being exposed to Agent Orange.

I am proud of my family’s response to duty. I need to say that other families had as many if not more to serve. Some families lost members as well.
So this day is one of praying for those lost in one way or another. I pray for those who never got a chance to return home. I also pray for peace for the world.

Can we survive another war?
Can we send family away and wait for someone to knock on our door?
Can we hope that our children will not have to go into battle and return the same as when they left?
I hear patriotic music. I see parades. I talk to veterans. But the most moving picture is of cemeteries of men or women, at attention in a coffin in a uniform, if they were lucky to come home at all. The ceremony in which a flag is folded and given with the words, “ Our grateful country…” It is usually the same. And movies always made that part very touching.
So on this day, is a combination of pride in my family and country, but sorrow for those lost and the families who are deep in sorrow. It is just one day. But it is one we should not forget.