For our Veterans

I have been writing and rewriting this post in my head for some time. As I mentioned awhile back, I had watched a little of The War by Ken Burns. It was hard to see all of it though because it was on late so I checked the companion book out at the library. Thus began a new found obsession with World War 2. I am a liberal democrat and not a warmonger, to say the least. I am not interested in tactical maneuvers or any of the technical aspects at all. I am however, fascinated with the whole era. After I finished the Ken Burns book I checked out The Greatest Generation Speaks by Tom Brokaw ( awesome book!) and at least a half dozen more memoirs from both soldiers and Holocaust survivors. I cannot imagine a more terrifying or trying time. My grandfathers both served in the war in the Navy. Oddly enough, both were machinist mates. My maternal grandfather also served in the Korean War. I had never really taken much interest in that and now deeply regret that I had never asked more about his experiences. I can see now that it could have possibly explained some of his demeanor. I know for certain that it was responsible for some of the ways that my grandmother lived. Until the day she died she saved and collected all cans, boxes,paper and bottles. She would flatten them out and bundle them with string. She reused foil and jars. How did we get from that to the excessive amount of waste that we produce now in such a short time?
I have to say, as I read on into the War it started to weigh on me, especially reading towards the Holocaust. Pete and I have very different ways on handling this. It is depressing and so he doesn't read things that he knows will be sad. He has his limits and doesn't cross them. I have guilt, or something of the sort that makes me not able to stop reading it. I feel that for what others have suffered I have to validate by reading about it and acknowledging it. It would be wrong of me to put my unease ahead of their being memorialized. I read the obituaries for the same reason. I am ashamed to admit I am not a very patriotic person but I am so grateful for our veterans that fought for our country. I have cried for those that did not make it home and for those who did, only to never know peace in their lives. I have cried for the wives and children left behind. I have gained an appreciation and an understanding for my own families contribution. I can remember my grandfathers American Legion buddies and can only imagine how those close bonds may have been formed.
So today I really wanted to thank and acknowledge our veterans and currently enlisted men and women. I had high hopes of posting pictures today but I am still in California and that is proving difficult. In addition to my Grandfathers I also want to add that my Father in law, John served in Desert Storm in the Air Force and that my brother in law, Jeremy is currently in the Air Force. Pete's youngest brother Zak is in the reserves. Pete, you still get credit for enlisting in the Navy and going to boot camp. It's not your fault that you have the crazy eyes. So, thank you all. I don't think that my feelings about war will ever change but I will always respect and admire those so willing to stand up for our country.