Memorial day

     I remember names my father told me about when I was growing up. He spoke of John Burley, a private in the united states army. He mentioned the name William Heely a mess cook at Fort Dix New Jersey, and Sargent Mathew Conley a platoon leader in Korea where all those mentioned served their country. My dad sat me on his knee and told me tales of bravery and undying love for this country and how everyday men just like I would become left everything behind them to fight in a war that needed them.

     He told me one of the highest honors was to fight and maybe even die for a country that is by far the greatest country on earth. He had tears in his eyes as he remembered his days at war and the loss of men he respected and grew to care for. He softly told me he hoped I would never have to experience war of any kind, but if I had the desire to serve, then I should do so and with great pride just like he had done for many years.

     We lost a great man when my father passed on, a great soldier and leader who took his men into battle always in front and always remembering those who fell. He served his country for decades and earned the rank of full bird colonel. He had too many medals and accommodations for me to remember, but the thing I remember the most was how he suffered in silence as the demons of war stayed with him until his final breath.

     On this Memorial Day, I honor those who lost their life's in battle, and I honor those who made it home only to keep fighting with their own demons of war. 

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