Memorial Day

To all those who proudly served our country a special thanks on this solemn occasion.
 
My father, who passed away in 1997, was a Master Sergeant detailed to Patton's 3rd Armored Division.  He was assigned to the motor pool because of his automotive skills and played a role in keeping Patton's tanks rolling through France and Germany.  He refused a battlefield commission because he had no interest in being a lifer.  My father's sisters husband was a tank operator that was killed at the Bridge at Remagen.
 
My uncle, who passed away last week, served in Germany during the Korean War (Conflict) in the Signal Corps.   
 
My older brother served in Viet Nam 1969-1971, with the 101st Scream Eagles.  He was a Sergeant  in a long range recon platoon and spent most of his time in the A-shau Valley.  He is a Purple Heart recipient.
 
My brother in law served in Viet Nam 1970-1972, with the 1st Cavalry.  He too was a Sergeant assigned to patrol and participated in our incursions into Laos and Cambodia.  He also received the Purple Heart along with a Bronze and Silver Star for heroism.
 
Thank you for the freedom we, in this country, all too often take for granted. 
 
     
 
  

I was drafted when they put up the Berlin Wall and served 2 yrs in Germany with a nuclear strike missle battalion.Upon completion of basic training I was offered a chance to enter OCS,but that would have extended my tour of duty for a year and I would have been a 2nd LT in the infantry,but I declined when I learned that I would probably go to Germany.This was in May of 1962 and no one even knew where Viet Nam was....would I be writing this if I had accepted that OCS offer?