The works of Christopher Dale

REMEMBER MEMORIAL DAY

What does Memorial Day mean to me? Let me give you a brief glimpse into my life, growing up.

My father was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany. This is where my first memories really are. He started off in the Air Force, where he met my mom, in San Angelo, Texas. I am the middle child with an older brother and a younger sister. The Navy offered better pay for family so my dad switched from Air Force to Navy. From there he made a career out of the Navy.

I remember Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, when we got to go into town and play in tanks, jeeps, halftracks, and other assorted military vehicles.

I remember asking my father why we were allowed to play in them when I had been told that only soldiers got to ride in them.

He explained that this was a day to remember all US Military persons who have served our country. It wasn’t until many years later that I understood what he was trying to tell me at that young age.

Throughout the years, while other people partied, or went to the beach, or otherwise enjoyed a three-day weekend I remember that, no matter where I was or what I was doing, something in the back of my mind kept reminding me of sitting in that tank.

I remember protesters throwing bottles, rock, and cans at our school bus in Hawaii. Why? Because we were the children of “baby killers”. I remember watching the first Vietnam POWs coming home. I don’t remember their names, but I remember the tears in my eyes, not really understanding why I was crying. It wasn’t sadness, but something inside was happy and proud.

I remember all of the “training accidents” we would hear about on the radio or television. I remember the helicopters that were lost in a failed attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran.
I remember Oliver North, the Contras, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and the first Iraq War. Through it all, to this day, I remember that tank. I remember the heat inside it. I remember the uncomfortable gunner’s seat, the small driver’s seat.

I remember who that tank represented. It represented, and still does, everyone who wore the uniform of the United States of America’s Armed Forces.

What will I be doing this Memorial Day? I will be asking my children what Memorial Day means. I will, again, explain it to them when they say ‘I dunno.’ I will be remembering all who came before, all those who are and all those who will be in the United States Military.

I will remember everyone who fought for our flag, our country, our way of life. It won’t matter to me if the battles were politically correct or not. It won’t matter to me if they are just a “police action” or a “real war”. I will remember that American men and women bled and died because their country told them to go.

I will remember that they gladly went in my stead.

I will remember that they fought so that I wouldn’t have to. I will remember that they gave of themselves so that others could protest a war. They died protecting my right to vote, my right to pray to the God of my choice, and my freedoms, most of which I still do not fully appreciate.

I will remember those who came back, but not whole, for every one of them lost something. All lost something inside. Some lost something physically as well. Some lost limbs or eyes. Still others lost the will to care. I will say a prayer of thanks for those who died and those that survived.

My attempt at serving was cut short when I was discharged halfway through basic. I was told I was medically unfit for duty. I had injured myself while trying to serve. I am proud of my short time in for I gave 100% but my body failed me.

For those who are in Iraq and Afghanistan, I pray that you come home safely. And for all of those who serve on “Special” assignment in places we don’t know about and probably will never know about, I will say an extra prayer for you. Because ALL of you are putting yourselves in harms way so that America can stay free. I pray that America remembers who you are and what you are doing. I pray that we have learned from Vietnam. I pray that we do not re-live our most disgraceful period of shunning those who have served.

What does Memorial Day mean to me? It means that I live in a free country because someone freely and willingly said, “I’ll go. You stay here and keep a place for me.”

Someone had the courage to not only realize that we need them there, but was willing to step up and be counted with others who stepped forward – just to name a very few honored people:

General George Washington, General George S. Patton, General Douglas MacArthur, James Lynn Abler, Arthur Pina Adame, William Kimbal Batchelder, Pvt. David E. Dietrich, Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr.

These are real people who have served a real country, giving real lives. I will remember each and every one of you. Even those of you I have never heard of, I will remember.

Memorial Day means that I know who you are and what sacrifices you are making or have made. I know your resolve in keeping Old Glory flying freely and proudly in our homes, our schools, our governments and our embassies. I know that you went so that I can be free.

I thank you for your willingness to serve and your resolve to allow me to live freely.

As I get older each year, I still remember that tank, but the picture of that tank fades a little more with time. And while the picture fades the meaning behind that tank grows stronger. I come to appreciate that tank more and more with each passing year. That tank is no longer a 10 ton piece of metal to me. That tank represents the resolve of every soldier, sailor, marine, and airman serving our country today. It strength is in its ability to protect.

I salute you all. And may God continue to bless America.

Christopher Dale
author@candp-ent.com

Copyright 2004, 2008 – All rights reserved.

If anyone finds this article of use and wishes to e-mail or mail it to service men and women, all I ask is that you do not modify it in any way. This article is copyright Christopher Dale 2004, 2008. I grant the right to freely e-mail or mail this to any military person(s) as long as there are no fees or other monies required.

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