Dread-Head's Blog

At the end of world war one President Woodrow Wilson convinced congress that a day to remember all of the brave men who laid down their lives in the most costly war to date (in human terms and at the time it was) should not be forgotten. Armistice day was set aside so that we could solemnly observe those who went off to war and either never returned or returned horizontially draped in old glory.

         After enough time passed Armistice day was broadened to include those who died in all of America's wars and the name was changed to Memorial day. I have friends who are combat veterans. When they speak of the action they saw they have a strange reverence for the men against whom they fought.  This is not to say that they love them by any means but they came to respect an enemy whose lfriend's lives they had taken and who could have easily taken theirs.

       They're part of a brotherhood that those of  us who've never sighted in on a breathing human being can never know. I think of Memorial day as a day when everyone who has ever lost a son/brother/husband  (and as of late daughter/sister/wife) to war should remember those they love and recognize their sacrifice.

       What I find odious are those who have no reverence for the fallen, who see this observance as nothing more than a day off work and an excuse to have a barbeque. We dishonor generations of people who died for that which they fought whenever we do this.  To every man and woman who has ever worn his country's uniform and died wearing it and their families, know that in Houston, Texas a Marine who's never seen combat thanks you for your sacrifice in his thoughts and prayers.

PFC J.J. Handy USMC

aka Dread-Head