Remembering My Dad on Memorial Day

My dad was my hero.  He served in the Marine Corp for the majority of his adult life, entering the service when he was 16 and retiring almost 28 years later, but went on to work in civil service at the exact same job he held while he was on active duty.   He was involved in three of our wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.   While he was a loving dad, he taught me about discipline, honor and respect, something I find so lacking most of the youth today.   And he taught me my love of this country and what it stands for.

When he served in World War II, he was captured on Wake Island and spent most of the war in a Japanese POW camp.  He told me stories (well watered down) of working as an auto mechanic for the Japanese military and how he would “fix” the vehicles but make sure that they would break down when in use.  He taught me his serial number and I can still repeat it today, but in the words of a 2 or 3 year old, because that was the age I learned it.   What he didn’t tell me was just how horrific the conditions were, I found this out later when I received all of his military records about three years ago.   I’m sharing the affidavit with all of you, who may or may not know just what the conditions were and why it was so imperative that the war be ended. 

  To all of the servicemen here (active or not), thank you for your service.  Thank you for being willing to put your life on the line and pay the ultimate price for my freedom. 

Please remember this Memorial Day weekend to honor the fallen.