Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day that we set aside to commemorate those who have died in the service of the military. It was first enacted to honor those in the Union Army who died in the American Civil War. After the first World War, it was expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action.
Unfortunately, I have never had the privilege of serving in the military. However, I am profoundly grateful for those who have. In the U.S., I fear we have come to take our national security for granted. The tragic events of 9/11 were a wake-up call. The fact that we have not had another terrorist attack on U.S. soil is a testimony to the brave men and women who work tirelessly to protect our freedoms both here and around the world.I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank a few of my family members who have served in the military. Not all of these were injured or killed in the line of duty, but all served with honor and distinction:
- My Dad, Robert T. Hyatt, who served as a Marine in the Korean War. He was critically injured when a piece of shrapnel hit him in the head and nearly killed him. He received the Purple Heart. Amazingly, He was just eighteen-years-old when it happened. (He enlisted when he was seventeen.)
- My father-in-law, Col. Sidney C. Bruce (deceased), who had a distinguished career in the Air Force. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters and then went on to serve in the Pentagon as the Secretary to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- My brother-in-law, Col. Philip W. Bruce (retired), who also had a distinguished career in the Air Force. He graduated from the Air Force Academy. He then served in Vietnam and eventually became a highly-honored instructor at the Test Pilot School.
- My brother-in-law, Karl Bruce, who also graduated from the Air Force Academy. Like his older brother, Philip, he trained pilots. However, he focused on beginning pilots.
- Gail’s cousin, Charlie J. Loffer (deceased), who served in the U.S. Marines. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He also received the Purple Heart, was honorably discharged, and recently died from complications related to his wartime exposure to Agent Orange.
- One of Gail’s cousins, Mark St. Amand, who served as an Army Ranger. He was involved in the first Iraqi War, where he was shot through the stomach. He survived and also received the Purple Heart.
There are scores of others, including many, many friends who have served in the military. Regardless, I am eternally grateful to them and want to take this opportunity to honor them on this special day.
Update: President Obama has asked us all to stop what we are doing at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon and remember those who have fallen in the service of their country.
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Thank you to everyone who has served or is serving to give us the freedom that we now enjoy.
A special thanks to our family friend Justin Weaver who is on his way downrange to Southern Afghanistan. Read his blog here: http://jetgwot.wordpress.com/
I would like to thank my husband's good friend Brent Koch who died in Iraq almost two years ago. He is missed everyday and we are ever so grateful for his service to our country and giving up all he had. http://iraq.pigstye.net/article.php/KochBrentW
I would like to thank my husband, a USMA graduate and Vietnam Veteran. He received the bronze star for his war time efforts. Because we are a May-December couple, I wasn't alive when he graduated college and was just a child when he was in Vietnam, but because of him and his USMA classmates I have since received a real lesson on duty, honor and country.
Thanks to all who have or are serving.
I would like to thank my father (WWII) and my husband (Korean) for their service to our country. My father dropped out of high school to enlist, but somewhere along the line, he learned to value education. He and my mother worked hard to encourage my four siblings and me to get our college education. I am so thankful we live in a country where working for a good education is honored.
I would also like to thank my students over the last several years who have chosen to serve their country in the military. The pride I feel when I see them in their dress uniforms and know I played a little part in helping them achieve is tremendous,
I like this post, Mike. I came close to getting drafted. My number was 60. They were drafting up to 120. But Nixon started pulling troops our of Southeast Asia. I loved him after that. But a friend of mine came back, a good guy, a guy you would have liked, but Viet Nam messed with his head so badly, he wound up on the streets. Like the national neurosis took a turn for the worst. Thanks for posting this.
I'm deeply grateful to my grandfather Harold C Church, who was a pilot in the Air Force. Also to my other grandfather Orville Houchin for his brave service to our country and the freedoms I'm afforded today. Both are deceased and missed terribly.
I was born and raised in a communist country where my dad and I fled from through a refugee camp in the mid 80's. My mom was allowed to join us later. A sure way to get my flood gates opened is to play the Star-Spangled Banner. We have certainly escaped quite a bit by being allowed into this country. I do not know any veterans by name but do know several people serving our country now. To you, and all who have gone before, I extended gratitude. Thanks also to those who fight the unseen wars over our country in the Spirit realm by prayer. Let's remember that we're in this together:)
What a great story. I heard someone speaking today about the fact that those in the American military are to be honored, not just because they fight for this country, but because they fight to advance freedom to the rest of the world as well. What other nation does half as much for the people in other countries who live under oppression? I'm glad you and your family are here Monika — thanks for expressing your gratitude.
Thanks for the reply, Michael. Sounds like your grandfather is a part of many people's story! Amazing how each individual life affects unknown others!
I want to thank my late father, Harold G. Boughton who fought for the United States in World War II. As a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Canada, he gave me a wonderful appreciation for our great country and the dedicated men and women who serve in our armed forces. To all of you who have served or are presently serving, Thank You and God Bless You always.
I want to thank my son, who's been deployed ELEVEN times. I have mixed feelings about the war in Iraq. He joined the military to obtain a college education, not expecting to be sent into war. He's serves honorably and without complaint.
Today is emotional for me, because my son has lost buddies, just babies from my mom's viewpoint. I have a friend who lost her precious son who was a leader and so full of promise. I met several of my son's buddies who were severely wounded. I hate what they've experienced and the long-term effects worry me. I cry every time George Stephanopoulos runs the list of youngsters slain. I pray that God will continue to protect our sons.
I want to honor my granddad: Army Air Corps Major Isaac Terrell Spivey of Farmington, NM. He flew more than 50 missions as a B-24 pilot in the South Pacific during WWII and has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He's still alive and is still my biggest war hero.
http://michaelsgray.com/?p=81
This is wonderful..I just saw it this morning. I love it. Thanks for the reminder off all those who laid down their lives for us. Fortunately, most survived but not without scaring their loved ones to death and keeping us on our knees! As you know, I served with Gail's dad who, after he retired from the service, worked in a ministry to military staff and officers.
Wonderful post! Thank you to all who have served or are serving. God bless you.