learn one story

in honor of memorial day-

i heard someone suggest to the story of atleast one veteran today....getting the chance to meet a veteran today- i thought i would pass on a story of a veteran for all who want to hear one....

the veteran---my dad ken

before becoming my mom's husband and before becoming my step dad, he had a past that was steeped in the military....navy to be exact

he joined the service when he was very young
(17 or 18...some rumor of him lying about his age to get in...but not confirmed)

he retired from the Navy, a Master Chief, at 37 (20 years of service)

while in the navy he served in vietnam and though it was not something that he ever talked about i know that it deeply affected him....

for years he wore a moustache to hide some on the scars on his face
for years i remember pieces of metal coming to the surface of his skin
for years i remember going to firework shows with him, even though it made him uneasy
and the only time i ever saw my dad cry was on a visit to the vietnam war memorial in washington dc

the thing i never knew until his funeral service a few years ago...

he served 4 terms in vietnam
voluntarily returning each time
knowing that if he was there-none of his brothers (who were married with children) could be asked to serve

thankfully he returned from his service in the war and continued his career in the military that eventually brought him into my mom's life, and consequently mine....where i could learn what it was like to personal know someone who could sacrifice so much for the people and the country that he loved