Memorial Day

[1CAVCCO15MED]

I grew up about a mile from Mountain Home Va Hospital and Cemetary. Every Memorial Day the Sequoyah Council of the Boy Scouts would camp out on the grounds and decorate the graves with American flags. After we were done a Boy Scout bugler by the name of John West would play Taps as we stood at attention and gave the Boy Scout salute. Somewhere in some military cemetary someone blows Taps over John's grave for he was killed in Vietnam. He was a machine gunner in the Marines. We will be there this Saturday as always, different boys who may someday be decorated themselves.

[MARINEVET]

...first it was the Boy Scouts and then Civil Air Patrol...different hand salute, but same reverent thoughts about folks and things I knew little about. And then later...so many other Memorial Days over the years...even crisper hand salutes as an AcDu Marine...now these days a hand over the heart...even deeper, and certainly better understood feelings about "stuff"....

This Memorial Day, after mid-morning ceremony at our local Vets' Cemetery, I'll be heading to MCAS New River to participate in welcoming home elements of the 24th MEU from OIF...first major contingent to arrive HOME here in J-Ville...! Will tell 'em HEY for ya and tell 'em they done good...!!!

Thanks to all y'all for your dedicated service to our Great Nation...this American truly appreciates it...!

Semper Fi,