Today is a day to remember and honor friends and family who have served our Nation. I like to fancy myself a budding writer, been doing that for years, and I would like to take a minute and try to put into words, what their service means to me. The depth of emotion is very difficult to plumb and often times hard to express. I always fall short, saying thank you never seems enough. Flying the flag never seems enough. Sending care packages, doing the online support system with cards and such, always seems too little to truly express my gratitude.
I have friends in the National Guard who have been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have friends and family who served in the 80's up to now in the active service. I have had co-workers who have served. My father-in-law served in Viet Nam. I know a lot of folks and their families, who have served and sacrificed a great deal.
Everyone knows a Veteran, had a family member who served. Drop a line, give em call, remember. Say thank you, but however small a thing, DO something. These folks and their families served you and continue to serve everyday. And If I may, not just today, but whenever you get a chance, do something to show you care.
Let me tell you a story..
My uncle, Dean Borrousch, served in Viet Nam the winter of 1969-1970. He was just a country boy, a farmer from Upper Michigan on the other side of the world in South Viet Nam. That fall, my parents went to the farm and cut a small pine tree down. They put it in a cardboard box and filled it with ornaments and presents. You know the usual soldier stuff for everyone in his squad, cigarettes, chocolate, 45's of Stones and Doors, that kind of thing. Heck they even put in a string of lights. They shipped it over to those fellas so they could have a Christmas.
From the letter I read, they had one helluva party. There is polaroid picture somewhere, I have seen it, of those fellas standing around the tree. Maybe that day wasn't so bad.
Dean Borrousch was killed in action Feb 19th, 1970. He was my uncle.
That's a really great story, Patrick.
And I agree, do something. A thank you goes a long way.
Have you ever checked out the website Adopt a Soldier? It's really great.
Posted by: Nicole | 05/31/2010 at 04:48 PM
I come from a long line of Marines, and think of my Grandpa most on Memorial Day. He served in Vietnam, and he never shares his stories with me. I rarely see him, but I know he's written a collection of memoirs from the wars.
Posted by: Jenny Beans | 05/31/2010 at 05:08 PM
Sorry about your uncle, man.
Posted by: Acadia | 05/31/2010 at 05:11 PM