
I think we tend to forget some of the non-military people who served in their own way. My mother, for example, was an Army wife for two military career officers and sent her son off to Vietnam (me). My brother served in Japan during the war. Even the children, the military “brats”, make a
sacrifice when their parents serve their country. Now my grandchildren must sacrifice whenever my son has to leave home for an extended tour of duty.
I salute them all-the dead and the living heroes. I would like to share the words of Vice Admiral Norb Ryan Jr. (US Navy, Retired).
“We will also remember all who have gone before us, the thousands of men and women who have given their lives and enabled our great country to survive through some very difficult times. These great Americans are remembered as those who served a cause greater than themselves. They are not celebrities; they are true heroes and deserve a very special place in our thoughts. Those we are remembering today serve as an example to us all, and especially for our elected leaders. They are
individuals who looked out for one another and had one another’s best interests, as well as the nation’s, at heart. We honor these selfless veterans this Memorial Day and remember how much we owe to their heroism.”