Posted by MYDAILYCOMPLAINT in NEWS, POLITICS | 1 Comment
MEMORIAL DAY 2012
MDC salutes our VETS on Memorial Day.
Vietnam War Veterans who are no longer with us are remembered like all the Veterans from all the wars on this Memorial Day weekend.
I remember Michael Irbe who was an electrician after the war. He saw combat, and survived, until around ten years ago. After six months in Vietnam, he heard the song he wrote playing on Armed Forces Radio. He had no idea that “Apple. Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” hit the charts and was number one.
Bill flew Hueys and Tomahawks in Vietnam, and in the Reserves, he continued flying until close to the end of his life. I met Bill through his Artist girlfriend. Bill had three sons after he and his former wife adopted a son Michael from Nam. Bill farmed hay, did blood runs, everything to keep the farm and the family going. I had the privilege of riding the baler, stacking hay on the cart, driving the tractor, and working the extensive garden on the farm with Bill and his youngest son during long summer weekends until Bill got sick and had radical lung cancer.
Scarred veterans still hang on. Everyone a unique soul, whose story should be embraced, told, and allowed to educate us all on the horrors and heroism of war while they still live. Their stories make us richer. Let us not forget those who gave their lives and service so that we could still dream and continue to work on having a World of Peace.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.