esrosedotblog

VETERANS DAY

John was going through old photos and such today.

In the pile I saw my Dad's American Legion cap.

That is what Veterans' Day means to me.

My Dad volunteered in WWII. He was too old to be drafted and he was in a critical industry but he wanted in and he went.

It was a horrendous experience and the best experience of his life.

A paradox. The worst and the best in one span of two years.

He served in the Navy on a 'tin can' destroyer escort across the North Atlantic. These were the guys who stayed outside the fleet crossing and used depth charges to get the subs.

They also screened with radar. My dad was a radar man.

When the European campaign was over, the shipped out to the Pacific. Same deal.

They got hit with a kamikaze and my Dad had a piece of it in his neck for the rest of his life.

He also had the war under his skin for the rest of his life but, by the end, he came to grips with it and the 'noise' in his head and soul got quieted.

There is no preparation for the actual experience of war. None.

I was in the Army but I had a chicken shit assignment that lasted 6 months. I was an ROTC wonder. My main thing was to get out of it as best I could. There was no war.

I don't feel bad that I missed my war.

I have had my own worst/best experiences.

The difference is that my Dad played a role in 'saving democracy' when it really needed saving. Not like now where a lot of the warrior goals are made up.

I love the troops and hate the politicians who never served using them to satisfy their misplaced sense of patriotism.

I won't get into that one today.

For my Veteran's Day meditation, I will stay on my Dad's Legion hat and the photos we have of him as a proud radarman.