Today is Memorial Day and for those of you who don't know what Memorial Day is all about I'll try to give it to you in one simple sentence before the load limit of your attention span is exceeded. Memorial Day is the official day that we honor the military personal who have given their lives for the cause of freedom, there, nice short and to the point. If you think I 'm stopping there you are just plain wrong. Today started out like all other Memorial Day's for the last ten years or so. We got up had coffee, showered and got ready to walk five hundred feet or so to the corner where the annual Memorial Day parade passes. It just so happened that today was different, maybe from writing this blog, maybe the coffee, maybe it was when I crossed paths with the Queen of Hooter Land on my way to the parade, I don't really know for sure but for some reason as each part of the parade passed my mind would light up with ideas for a multi topic Memorial Day blog and rightfully so since so many different groups were present.
Clearing the way for the parade were the local police on their new shiny motorcycles riding four abreast, making sure that order was the order of the day. First in line were the politicians, at the head of the line was our own Congressman, who by the way always seems to be running for re-election. He had his scores of minions handing out stickers for your shirt, I was hurt, with all of the lobby money in Washington the least I would expect would be full size candy bars wrapped in twenty's handed to each parade goer in case lots. The next Orwellian characters are the State Senators, riding in used convertibles borrowed from one of their adoring constituents or maybe someone looking for a favor, the only time you ever see one of these guy's is when re-election is on the horizon and then it's back into hibernation in the comfort of their dens at the state capitol. They too had minions, but not nearly as many as a congressman and not as good looking either. Then came our mayor, seated on the boot of a convertible borrowed from one of the local car dealers who I'm sure was also looking for some small favor. The mayor always looks so happy and planted, my guess is pockets stuffed with money to offset the effects of anti gravity. Then there was a Barack Obama look alike running for Congress in the same party. If he doesn't make it he will be able to more than make ends meet working as an impersonator.
Following the politicians, who by the way had no signage with them honoring anyone but themselves were the marching bands who all did a good including the local grammar school band, followed by the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Indian Guides and their politically correct Guides counterparts all of the city departments in their respective Fire Trucks, Ambulances, tree trimming trucks and only missing a street sweeper. There were two dancing schools with dancers, a cheer leading company, a Montessori School and The Knights of Columbus. All of whom had small signs supporting our troops, but nothing honoring the honorees. Toward the end of the parade were the VFW, American Legion and a retirement facility bus with real WWII veterans. The interesting thing about veterans groups is that they actually understand the meaning of the day, please don't get me wrong all of the other players are necessary to make up a parade, it would just be nice if more was made about the true meaning of Memorial Day, however, we could easily do without the politicians. Then there was one really interesting participant, an electrolysis studio, they also, had minions handing out cards to any takers, I didn't see one woman with a mustache grab for one though. To that end I guess there is kind of a silver lining somewhere out there. It gets an awful lot of people out on a nice sunny morning. You get the chance to see some old friends and some enemies standing on the sidelines. The walk is always good and occasionally someone throws some decent candy while they are passing by. Which brings me to today's point.
When I see the veterans groups pass by I think about my friends who were lost fighting for what they believed to be a most honorable endeavor and as I have for quite a few years, hold them in a position of high honor for making the ultimate sacrifice. A small example so you may try to understand what it takes to make that ultimate sacrifice and why we have a National Holiday named Memorial Day. My wing man and I had far exceeded the agreed time to be scouts ( 6 months or 500 hours plus some other little requirements) and were through flying at end of our one year tour when a call went out for a replacement aircraft to go out and work an area under intense fire in a place called KonTum (pronounced; con-tomb) in northern II Corp, South Vietnam, as a ship had been shot to pieces and there were soldiers pinned down on the ground that needed to be supported immediately. I asked Larry, his name was Larry Rabren and he was a Chief Warrant Officer and a Scout Pilot for B Troop 7/17 Air Cavalry from Valparaiso, FL by way of Alabama, why he was taking the flight, to which he replied and I will never forget "I can't let those boy's down". Larry flew to the area of operation proceeded to look for and engage the enemy, was directed to move up a hillside draw where he was hit in the cockpit by a B40 rocket and killed instantly as his ship exploded and burned. Larry was well aware of the risk every time he climbed into the cockpit and lit the turbine as everyone else was, understood what his job was and was willing to give his life to save those around him if necessary, that is what Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines do without hesitation. They really do believe in duty, honor and country and they don't require back room deals or lobbyist money to move them into action. So next Memorial Day when the parade is going by, try to think for only a brief instant about the sacrifices that have been made so you can spend that nice sunny morning with your family and friends. In memory of Larry R, Bob D, George G, Sam M, Robert P, Rocky A, Karl W, Ron T, Rich B, Mark W, Rusty F, Steve M and Wally C, thanks guy's.
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