“Happy Memorial Day” has always struck me as oddly dissonant. Reflective, grateful, serious & sober better describe most people’s actual feelings.
I reminds me of the suddenly-popular, “Thank you for your service,” that I never heard before just a couple of years ago. I was wished this just today by a serious, intelligent, well-meaning Freeper — and I do thank him for his thought, offered sincerely.
You see, although I was in the Army, and did “participate” in Vietnam, so very many others gave so very much more, and faced so very much more challenge, difficulty, and pain than I did. I’m just not in their class. I didn’t live their experience. I was a rear-echelon twit in a radio station, and I got to go home aand marry my girl, and have 42 years of happiness with her.
So, it’s far more appropriate to thank them than to thank me. Their gifts to this country way outstrip mine.
Even so, and having said all that, you’re welcome.
May we always have enough patriots to keep our Liberty,
and may God Bless the United States Of America.
I’ll say this, it’s just my way of thanking a Veteran for their Service. If you have donned the Soldiers Uniform in it’s many variants, especially if you have volunteered to do so or as many in our past were drafted and served our Country with Honor, with Respect for our Constitution and Flag, never take your duties lightly. You may have only been a cog in the machine but every cog must work towards Victory. You did your assigned duties as many millions of US have, without which we would have already perished as a Nation. If you took your Oath seriously and served with Honor, I for one salute you! Carry on!
I am the same way. I served 20 non-distinguished years in the Navy. I don’t feel bad about getting my retirement or medical benefits, because that was just part of the deal. I am, however, frequently hesitant to claim veterans benefits at stores, restaurants, etc. because there are so many much more deserving than me.
The purpose of this post is specifically not to elicit comments to dispute what I wrote. I’m not looking for sympathy, just expressing a personal feeling.
I would say, though, in your case, you’re overly self critical. I’m sure serving in Vietnam in any capacity was not a fun thing to do.