Moment of Remembrance

"We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies" ~ Moina Michael

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. This year we marked the passing of the last known combat veteran of WorldWar I, Claude Stanley Choules. The remaining World War II veterans are also rapidly decreasing in number.

Multitudes of veterans come home but bear the physical, phychological and emotional wounds of wartime. As caregivers, we have seen the effects these scars may have on the well-being of the individual and their loved ones. My beloved Uncle Frank was one of those brave individuals. He served in the army during World War II, fighting in France and earning a purple heart for his physical injuries. Frank entered the service as a quiet, gentle and loving man, he returned with those same qualities as well as life-altering emotional scars of war. 

Uncle Frank could not leave the trauma of war behind, he found comfort in alcohol.  Long before post-traumatic stress syndrome was recognized as a legitimate post-war injury for veterans, these battle scars went unacknowledged by the govenment and many found comfort escaping their nightmares in other ways. Uncle Frank asked for nothing from his government and his bravery persisted; he went back to the induction board and requested that he be sent to Korea instead when his younger brother, Nick was drafted. Frank never wanted his brother to have the experiences he did; the military refused his request.

Uncle Frank was a hard worker all his life, he loved his family and especially his nieces and nephews. I fondly recall that we always had to kiss him hello and goodbye on both cheeks as the French did. We all became a caregiver in some capacity during his life-- whether it was providing a safe ride home, expressing a reassuring comment or staying near his bedside in his last hours.

Today, our military and veterans need to be recognized as caregivers too. They bravely venture to foreign lands to maintain our safety back at home. We owe them an immeasureable depth of gratitude. Please take a moment from your caregiving responsibilities to remember a veteran who sacrificed their life for our freedom. Seek out the opportunity to thank a member of the military--current or past-- for their service to our country. 

I would like to thank those in my family who served our nation: my father, Arnold; my uncles--John, Mike, Frank, Nick, Dominic, Tom, Paul and John; my cousins--John, Gary, Dennis and Nicky; and the other special individual in my life--Bill, Jay and Gary.