Memorial Day

One Thanksgiving holiday when I had just moved out of the house I was asked to make pies and bring them for the Thanksgiving feast. Well, I lived some 30 minutes from home and I was poor. I had a car but nothing to carry those pies in without them slipping and sliding all over the front seat. I didn't want to mess up the pies so I thought. I tried to think of a way to keep those pies from slipping and sliding all around. Then I remembered something, a trick my dad had done while I was growing up to transport large pots of soup to the families in our community.

So I went into the house and wet a towel and rung it out really good. Went outside and laid that towel down on the floor board of the car and put those pies on top of it. When I had gotten to home my dad came out to greet me. He noticed that towel when he reached for the pies.

"What sailor have you been sacking up with?" He questioned me (Oh... btw, I was still a virgin at this time).

With wide eyes, I asked. "What? Why would you ask me that?"

He said, "Only sailors know that trick with the wet towel."

I smiled. Because my dad and I have a good relationship and I can tease him and get away with it (Oh the stories I can tell you of how we go at it... they are too funny at times!!!) I said to him, "You're the only sailor I know and I learned that from you."

He blushed and with a small chuckle all he could say was 'Oh.'

I grew up in a military type family but my dad was retired the Coast Guard before I was born. Once you're in the military you never seem to ever leave. My dad and brother and younger sister all served and grew from the experience. They talk about what they did, where they went and how they enjoyed their friends. Military leaves it's mark on those who serve be during a time of war or a time a peace. And all those I know who serve or have served do so with pride and to me it is an honor to know them.

I don't view Memorial Day as a day to honor those who passed on while serving our country. But to all those who have served, who do serve, who will serve, live or dead. They are the true heroes of this country! They are the ones who deserved more then just one day to remember them.

To all those who served in the military my thoughts are with you today!