In the United States of America, May 28, 2007 is Memorial Day. It is a day that we set aside to honor those who were killed in the service of their country.
In a way, it’s too bad that we have to be reminded of the sacrifices that others have made for us. I, too, often go about my day without even thinking once about the losses that others have suffered so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I enjoy.
As I was going through father’s things after his recent death, I found a rare treasure: letters that he wrote home as a young soldier in World War II. They were a peek into a time when my father was much younger than I am now. More than that, they provided a look at a time when people thought so seriously about principles and ideals that they were willing to die for them.
I was touched by his total honesty and by the surprising maturity of a young man still in his twenties. Yes, he was indeed afraid. But, he also knew that he was involved in something bigger than himself. To his mother he wrote, “This is the most significant thing that I have ever done.”
I was fortunate. My father returned, married, and had my brothers and me. Sadly, not every soldier is as fortunate as my father. In every war, there are those fathers, brothers, and sons who do not return. When I truly think about their sacrifice, one day in their memory somehow seems so inadequate.
Other posts about Memorial Day and honoring those who serve include:
- Take Time To Remember at Content Done Better blog.Â
- Let’s Never Forget at Gack Ink.Â
- God Bless Our Troops at Raes Random Rambles.Â
- To Our Soldiers, Past, Present, and Future: We Thank You!
- Something to be proud of at Principled Discovery.
Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Merry // May 28, 2007 at
What a great tribute… And how fantastic to have those letters! After my father’s death I found an envelope with all of his legal papers, and there were all of the army discharge papers and commodations from world war II… but having letters in his own hand, that would be amazing…
Another great post, which is why I spotlighted you for the thinking blogger award
2 Merry // May 28, 2007 at
ooops… that was, of course, meant to read, “commendations” – eesh, not thinking today 😉
3 laura // May 28, 2007 at
Hi Merry!
Yes. I learned a lot about my father when I went through his things. The letters were sent to his mother, who saved them. When she died, he got the letters back. I found his letters in a bunch of grandma’s things.
4 A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye » Blog Archive » Memorial Day Videos // May 28, 2007 at
[…] are a couple of wonderful videos found through Laura’s Memorial Day post WritingThoughts. Laura’s post and the posts she linked to are definitely worth […]
5 Lillie Ammann // May 28, 2007 at
How wonderful to have your father’s letters!
Thanks for your words and the great links. I had already posted my Memorial Day message (I usually write posts in advance and schedule publication on specific days). However, I added another post to spotlight two of the videos in the links above that especially touched me.
6 Paula Neal Mooney // May 28, 2007 at
My God, Laura, you’re so right on with this one.
I’m going around writing “Happy Memorial Day!” last night with barely a thought to the troops till I saw this special about women who’ve lost limbs in the war. They came home and they endure stares and the feelings of not being whole — as is ascribed to the standard of beauty for women.
And then I watched “Letters from Iwo Jima” the other day. So good. Long and tedious in parts, but nowhere near what those starving and sick soldiers (as well as ours) had to endure during that battle.
But the letters were found in 2005, and now their stories are being told over 60 years later. Amazing.
My dad was in World War II. He only saw a little action in some island, and THANK GOD he came back home, too.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if they had met way back when?
Paula
7 Laura // May 29, 2007 at
Lillie, I’m sorry that I missed including your Memorial Day post. When I was looking for links Sunday night it was not up. Then, on Monday, there it was. (That happened with several other blogs too. There must be several bloggers who worked ahead.)
Paula, I’m really glad you liked the post.
I’m so afraid that we are forgetting why we set up the holiday. For many, Memorial Day is just the day the public pools open… As my husband often says, those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
BTW, it would have been cool if our Dads had met, but I’m thinking probably not. My Dad was stationed in the European Theater, in England.
8 Matt Keegan // May 29, 2007 at
Laura, you certainly have something that is priceless. My parents are gone, so any letter or note I can find from them is is of immense value to me. Your father was mature because he understood what was at stake. Things were a lot clearer back then too as our country actively supported the war effort.
9 Laura // May 30, 2007 at
Matt, What you say is so true. Also, it’s amazing what you learn about your parents after they are gone.
10 Memorial Day Videos : Lillie Ammann, Writer & Editor // Dec 17, 2010 at
[…] are a couple of wonderful videos found through Laura’s Memorial Day post at WritingThoughts. Laura’s post and the posts she linked to are definitely worth […]