In Service: Memorial Day

It is a day of gratitude. In national callups lots of folks go. Not all come back. It is a duty of obligation and not of choice. Folks don't say, "Nah, I'll pass on this one and see what comes up next." It's the defense of the place that is our nation.

I wish all had my luck. I got in right after the stress at Berlin and right before Vietnam. Lucky. OTOH I have an uncle in his Helldiver out in Manila Bay. He was just a kid. Many, many families have sacrificed so that we may be secure and comfortable and I am grateful for their sacrifices. Even in times of trouble and stress this is a grand place to live and a grand country.
 
I loaded this cameraIMG_0012.jpegwith 400ASA film and took it out for a walk around a local state park. It belonged to a navy corpsman stationed at Da Nang during the siege. I only know this because of the documentation it came with from the estate auction, including his order to return to Hawaii and then home. They must have been the happiest pieces of paper of his life up to that time. So when I finish the roll I will dev and scan then fire up the Beseler 23 C. He had a full and successful life after returning home and was evidently much loved by his family.
 
When you sign up you write a blank check with only your signature on it. Uncle decides how much to cash it in for later. For some it's for all.

I was in for the cold war so I have this ringing in my ears, a messed up lower back and two screwed up knees; all in all, a small check. And even though it wasn't a "war" in 1982, I still saw friends go home in boxes so when the time came and we felt the landing gear thunk up into the 747 at Rhine-Main, it was a relief and a joy.

I'd still do it all over again, silly me. But I absolutely hate it when anyone "thanks" me for my service.
 
wlewisiii said:
When you sign up you write a blank check with only your signature on it. Uncle decides how much to cash it in for later. For some it's for all.

I was in for the cold war so I have this ringing in my ears, a messed up lower back and two screwed up knees; all in all, a small check. And even though it wasn't a "war" in 1982, I still saw friends go home in boxes so when the time came and we felt the landing gear thunk up into the 747 at Rhine-Main, it was a relief and a joy.

I'd still do it all over again, silly me. But I absolutely hate it when anyone "thanks" me for my service.
Click to expand...


When folks, mostly VA staff, thank me for my service I tell them it was 2 1/2 years an hour south of Paris I don't want them to think I made any great sacrifice. My three years was a walk in the park and I am so grateful. I saw the grunts who were coming back from Viet Nam. Most were damaged, many were nihilists. Sherman was right, war is hell.
 
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