I had the honor of spending my Monday brunch with a group of about 15 veterans, most of whom were >90 and had served in WWII. It was very emotional for me.
One told his story of being on the team that buried the dead at Normandy. He said the brass didn’t want men coming ashore and seeing bodies lying around, and so they were buried quickly. At first right there in the sand, and later in makeshift cemeteries just inland. This man buried >300 the first day. He estimated that by the end of the war he had been involved in burying >60,000. Many of whom he later helped exhume and return home. It was a difficult story for him to tell. At his advanced age, and as emotional as he was, he wasn’t able to talk very loudly. But not one man in that room made a peep during his talk. The atmosphere of respect was palpable.
God Bless those men, and all of you veterans! Happy Veterans Day to all of you!
And Dad, if you’re reading this... I love you! Happy USMC birthday, and happy Veterans Day!
Lordy, people sacrificed much to get us this far. I’ve been volunteering at Walter Reed for awhile. The first time was during our war with Iraq and they put me on the amputation ward.
I was overwhelmed with the amputee’s commitment to our country. Their “Safe Space” wasn’t about where they could seek sanctuary, it was about how they could help there fellow soldiers.