I would like to thank everyone who has thought about my family this past month. I would like to thank everyone for saying a prayer. If it were not for the wonderful support that one gives to another, life would not be bearable or tolerable.
I guess you can say that on a day where celebration is a key component within a country, even with a loss, there was still celebration.
What you find after that loss is beyond all expectations. You become aware that after 85 years of life, one would expect to know many things. Being a participant for 47 years, one would think that you would learn a tremendous amount about those 85 years. I would even venture to say that being apart of that life for 24 years, you would learn something about those 85 years.
85 years ago, he stepped into this world. As the path grew in his life, things changed over time. These changes came in the form of a depression, world wars, marriage, children, and employment. All these experience changed how one thinks, feels and acts.
But when you talk to a WWII veteran, you learn that they never speak of those things that were required of them during their tour.
When they encounter someone who served during that time, it is like two old friends reunited. Space and time is non existent and they pick up where they left off, speaking a language that they can only understand. A bond exists between the two that is difficult to understand. I had one veteran say, "Well, it was a time, and if you did not experience it, you will never know. It has all changed now, because of us and what we went through."
Silence. The old men, will just sit there looking, listening, smelling, and I guess they may have been wondering how they were still there, when others were not so lucky.
As time passes, it is then when you learn about some of those 85 years. As people gather to reminisce that is when you really learn. It also reminds you of what you might have missed, wishing you knew more.
You explore. You find pictures, DD214, military orders, love letters, notes, letters home, and the list continues. You find some things that you expected and some things that you did not expect. You wonder why he kept that grade school report cards, wedding invitations, graduation announcements and death notices. You discover news papers with family information, celebrations and tragedies. The family Bible is located.
You discover how others speak about the loss that has just occurred. You see a grandchild who writes: "They were separated in August of 2001. She waited patiently for him to join her, keeping an eye on him. When they reunite, the celebration would be bigger than their wedding. Well, it has been almost nine years and today there is a party in heaven, just for the two of them. We will always miss you two and we love you deeply. You can now rest in peace."
I then realize what I have been missing. I learned that I am missing a history and I want to learn more.
Will you take the opportunity to learn more?
What can we do to change this statement, "I never knew that...."
A National Cemetery is a location of rest, remembrance, and honor. To remember that many sacrificed for our county is one thing. To go to a National Cemetery and see the white markers gives you a whole new perspective of what sacrifice really means. Then as you sit there looking at those markers around you, you see the numbers of Veterans who have served and sacrificed. You casually stroll by a couple of markers and see when those sacrifices occurred.
Then 85 years means much more than I ever realized.
Then you realize that the 4th of July means more than a celebration of a country's birthday. You also realize that the 4th of July means more than a death in the family.
You realize that this individual may not have celebrated the 4th of July on a grand scale. It was celebrated with family. It was celebrated with silence, just like those two old men who were reunited. It had some significance that is still illusive.
That's when 85 years means more than I will ever know.
Give rest, O Christ to your servants, with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Into your hands, we commend your servants, sheep's of your own fold, lambs of your own flocks, sinners of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of all the saints. Amen.
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