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I appreciate your feedback, Donaeus.
Obviously your parents 'brainwashed' you as thoroughly as I did my three grown children, and they theirs.

Those of us in our generation feel privileged to have had an active part in America's defense, involved in a war that took us to every continent except Antarctica to fight.

The role of women changed dramatically, performing jobs that men usually did in manufacturing of vital equipment and goods - Rosie The Riveter was an important symbol - and they took immense pride in freeing men to go to combat.

The bad side effect of that, however, was when the men returned home and found the 'barefoot housekeeper' was earning more than he did, and the social change to two paychecks to get goods of which they had been deprived before was created.

Some men never adjusted to the loss of "the man must be the sole provider" role and the woman a house frau.
Still, women found they had real worth, and began to live their aspirations and dreams.

It's a tough life for any generation, though, one would surmise....each different, but challenging in their own aspects.

This morning on CNN, of all stations, I watched a very moving ceremony unfold in Hawaii.
At the site of the sunken USS Arizona, an Admiral conducted a burial there.
The decedent had been aboard the Arizona that fateful day and survived, and his son related he one time accompamied his father to it. He described the events in detail, pointing out where what happened, but other than that time, did not discuss the horrible happening.

He had stated when he died, he "wanted to be buried with his friends." Therefore, burial with full military honors was being accorded today, complete with a volley firing gun salute and a bugler playing a slow and plaintive rendition of Taps echoing over the waters.

After that, a woman Park Service (that maintains the site) employee advanced with a mesh bag containing a metal box with his ashes. At the end of the dock, she lowered it down to the water, where three Navy divers waited to together hold it and swim slowly to right above where the USS Arizona rested on the bottom of the ocean.

They then let it go down to rest forever "with his friends."
Who could watch that and not weep for his lifetime of the loss and pain, and "Why was I spared?" his question, no doubt.

The veterans of that war are dying by the thousands now, and soon will be as distant in memory as those of the Civil War. It is important to treat ANY veteran with utmost respect, no matter how insignificant a role he or she played in the scheme of things, whether in peacetime or war.

Just as an automobile will not work without each part doing its thing, so do our fighting forces need every cog in the enormous wheel.

God bless all those who did or do serve......

Thanks for information about the service at the USS ARIZONA. I didn't see it, but your description of the events presented a great picture. What an honor to be part of that burial detail.

Great words of wisdom you've presented today, LadyX. Thank you.

"God bless all those who did or do serve...... "

Seconded

Just returned from working some OT. Yikes, before I know it the alarm clock will be going off. Have a good night. Thank You for all your wonderful posts, LadyX!