Memorial Day
I’ve seen and heard glimmers of the sacrifices. There’s a friend who finds it nearly impossible to talk about his infantry combat experiences in Vietnam. I’ve been to the Vietnam War Memorial and been more moved by watching the people searching for a name, placing a memento, silently praying and remembering, than by the memorial wall.
But, one random event at Disneyland indelibly etched one meaning of sacrifice in service for country in my mind. Dan was about 4 and we were letting him scamper around an uncrowded Tom Sawyer’s Island. Another boy about his age was doing the same, so we struck up a conversation with his mother. After a bit of conversation, we asked her, “What does your husband do?” “He was killed recently in Vietnam.” Oh. Sinking feeling in pit of stomach, not for asking the question, but for the enormity of loss.
May God bless those men, women, and families who have given so much in military service.
