Memorial Day—Remembering Gramps

I didn't call this post HAPPY Memorial Day cos I don't think this necessarily IS a happy day—or should be. Many humans think today is all BBQ's, shopping the sales and fireworks; but, in reality, it's to honor the fallen. Those heroes who went to war and never came back. Heroes like TW's Uncle George, who she never had to privilege to meet. He never came home during World War 2.

A little history lesson is in order. This holiday was originally called Decoration Day and officially became known as Memorial Day in the 1960s. Its roots date to 1865, when it focused only on Union soldiers. As the nation healed; however, slain fighters on both sides of the Civil War were honored.

Gramps and his army buddies. He's at right in middle pic, top right in last pic.

My Gramps was in the Air Force during WW2. He served from 1942-1945, first in Scott Fields, and then England, France, Belgium and Germany. His specialty was fixing radios in planes. He came home a broken man and an alcoholic. He was one of the lucky ones who made it home.

This is the hat Gramps wore when he fought for our country. The klepto took the flag the VFW put on his grave.

I was planning to honor Gramps on this day for his service in WW2—the Big One—the last 'just" war, when I heard from a Twitter friend. It was during Nipclub. I was playing my usual "Let's Honor the Troops By Bringing Them Home" anti-war set, when I got a supporting Tweet from Allyson Levinshon (@snoopytheonly). We started tweeting and I learned that she's lost her cousin, Sean, in Iraq. I wish I knew more about Sean's life but I'm sad to say I don't.

It's hard enough to lose a loved one in a 'just" war, so I can't imagine how she must feel knowing he died in a war fought under false pretenses. General Colin Powell has said there were NEVER any WMDs but that doesn't bring back over 4000 American lives or bring solace to the 320,000 Vets with brain injuries, not to mention the Iraqi death toll. This figure varies widely between 100,000 to one million. Fact: 18 veterans commit suicide each day, according to the Army Times. If the Army is admitting this, we can only guess that the number must be higher. The London Daily Mail estimates that one U.S. veteran of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan attempts suicide every 80 minutes, citing such reasons as post-traumatic stress disorder, high unemployment and a loss of military camaraderie after returning from tours.

Let's honor my Gramps and Sean by volunteering at a shelter, donating to Give An Hour, which provides free mental health services to veterans or Soldiers From Above, or becoming an advocate for homeless veterans in your local community. Maybe even invite one to your BBQ or fireworks display.