My brother's headstone at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery is a simple block of gray granite, but the words that are engraved mean so much to me and our family. It's how he lived, he never faced a hurdle too tall, a task too big. When he graduated high school in 1965, it wasn't long until his draft notice came in the mail. He was 18. He went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for 8 weeks and then onto Fort Belvoir, Virginia for a shorter period of time for combat training. I was 13 and to me it was a blur of activities... graduation and then he was gone. Gone from my life and Mom and Dad's life and I felt an emptiness that is hard to explain. He was one of the lucky ones who came back, many didn't.
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I lost my brother in 2002 to congestive heart failure, he was only 55. I wish I could tell him how proud I was of him and that his Country owes those who fought that war so much, but it's too late. I think he knew how much it meant to our family and that we felt a great sense of pride for his service.
You can honor Veterans who gave their all by visiting the Virtual Wall of Remembrance. Post a note or a photo, even a video. A chance to say what is in our hearts this Memorial Day.
a wonderful post. i am glad you had your brother for as long as you did.
ReplyDeleteGod bless him and I thank him for his service.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteI really love this post, my brother was also in Vietnam. I was three when he left I don't remember much except he was always there and I liked to play with him and then he got on this big thing (bus) and he was gone and I remember crying. I was six when he came back home I do remember a lot of that time I was very excited, but when he came home he would not play or even really talk and he was mad a lot and that was the first time I was around someone who smoked. I remember Mom crying a lot and trying to talk to him and he would yell. It took a lot of years for him to calm down, then he got married and is very happy today. It just seemed to me in the begining my brother that came home was not my brother. It took a lot of years for me to get my brother back, I don't think some people realize what they go through to protect us. God bless them all
ReplyDeleteSorry this is so long
Kim
Great post, and oh how we take our military and vets for granted. What they do is amazing and I'm sure your brother knew you were proud of him.
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to be so proud of your brother. A loving and beautiful tribute!
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