Today, in these United States, it is Memorial Day. Today is the day we remember those fallen in all our wars, from the Revolutionary all the way to the current mess in Iraq.
Seeing as how that's the point of the day, I hope you won't mind me indulging in a bit of remembrance myself.
His name was Michael. He was the second youngest of nine boys, and he happened to come of age in the time of one of the most divisive wars in American history. I don't know whether he volunteered or was drafted; I've never really gotten up the nerve to ask. How do you ask that question to a mother who still grieves?
Needless to say, Michael served in the military, in much the same way as most of his brothers had, and because he served in the military, he was sent to Vietnam, leaving his high school sweetheart behind. He served his term, and was days from returning stateside, when there was an accident.
The way I understand it, he was riding in the back of a military truck when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a bicyclist, and it tipped the truck, killing Michael pretty much instantly.
And it was this simple accident, in a war which may or may not have been necesary that caused me never to know my Uncle Mickey, my grandfather's brother.
So...on this Memorial Day, to my Uncle Mickey, and to all our soldiers who have died doing their duty in overseas wars. I remember.
Posted by katster at May 31, 2004 08:44 AM