First, about a man I know…
My grandparents romance began in middle school in Brooklyn. By their early 20’s, they were married. In 1942, Frank, a member of the Army Air Corps (the Air Force before there was an Air Force), went to go fight for his country. His wife, my grandmother, was expecting their first child.
A few months later, my grandmother got news from the Red Cross that Frank’s plane had been shot down. They weren’t sure where. They knew only that he was presumed dead.
It wasn’t until 18 months later that certainty came. Frank was, in fact, alive. He had been a member of a POW camp that had been liberated. He returned home and my grandparents promptly had my Mom.
Colonel Frank is still alive today, as is his wife. They’ve had 9 children, 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Two weeks ago they celebrated 70 years of marriage.
He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, instead he got the ultimate life.
But not everyone had such good fortune…
Many people’s story isn’t so epic. Many people went to fight for their country and died quickly, without much fanfare. Memorial day is for them. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.