I was greeted at the nursery this morning by the owner and thanked for my service. She’s a shirt tail relative by marriage so I have to be careful what I say. I was polite and pointed out that Vets have a day reserved especially for them in November and today is for all the ones who should have been Vets but never will. The ultimate sacrifice demands a day of remembrance from us.

I lost several good friends there and will keep their memory close.  Chuck is probably the reason I’m here writing this. I enclose a link to him from the Virtual Wall. I discovered his demise when I started looking for him for a buddy statement on my transfusion up in Laos. He  augered in the day before I was released from the hospital from my hep. infection. Most importantly, he died doing what he loved best. My father was quite a pilot and racked up a lot of hours over 33 years. He was still on flight duty when he retired. Chuck was similar in every respect. He could flat spin an O-1 from altitude and make me gag even though I never got air sick.

So thank no one today for their service. This is a day to go to cemeteries and thank them. By just remembering them, you keep them alive in your heart. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Photograph courtesy of Frank Glick. Nice job, Frank.