Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day is a Time For Remembering

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Last year about this time Fort Campbell and the Clarksville/Hopkinsville area had a rare treat--a visit from the traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall. The miniature wall was set up just outside of Fort Campbell's back gate in the Destiny Park area in a beautiful and convenient location. Mr. Fix-it, the Jimster, and I decided to make a visit to the memorial while it was visiting here last year. These pictures are all from last year since we went right after Memorial Day. This year I am posting them in honor of Memorial Day.


When you walk up to the area where the wall is located you are immediately met by this sign. It was a sobering sign to all of us and told us immediately that quiet, respect, and dignity were called for. This traveling wall is not like a traveling carnival. It was not there for people to gawk and comment but only for people to look for names, reflect on the sacrifices the listed persons made, and to be grateful for all of our freedoms.
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My father and uncle were both soldiers in the Vietnam war. While my father is doing well my uncle lost his battle with an Agent Orange related disease just last month. I think of him every single day. Typing this post brings tears to my eyes. I am grateful I got to spend some time with my uncle last fall and early this spring. 

My uncle was my godfather and I was very close to him my entire life. When we lived close my family would often visit him and his great companion Mitsuko. Mitsuko, who is Okinawan, cooks the best tempura ever. Upon one particularly trying move from Germany to North Carolina by way of Alabama my children and I made a surprise visit to my uncle's home and were welcomed with some super good cooking. We have never forgotten that night and are grateful for the small things in life-mainly family. If you have ever moved a long distance you know how very hard it can be and this is something servicemen and women have to do every few years. A good home cooked meal can make all the difference and my aunt and uncle sure helped my family to settle in smoothly after our permanent change of station from Germany to North Carolina.  
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My uncle was a tall, slim, red head who fought as an artilleryman. He jumped out of airplanes as part of his job and wow, he was quite a sight all decked out in his uniform when preparing to jump from some huge planes in the middle of the night. One night he had a bad jump and received an injury. I never heard him complain about that injury. It just was what it was and he dealt with it.
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Upon retiring my aunt and uncle retired to Florida to live a life of leisure. Unfortunately that was not to be for my uncle. When my uncle became ill with liver disease he kept up a very strong and reassuring appearance. He never let on to anyone just how sick he really was. It was not until this year that he was diagnosed with liver cancer. Even with the terrible diagnosis of liver cancer my uncle  was a paratrooper to the end and remained strong. We miss him dearly. He may be gone but not forgotten because of all of the memories we have of him.
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Roger and Jimmy at Destiny Parks Pavillion Fort Campbell Kentucky



I don't normally post very personal things like this on the blog but my uncle loved the blog and enjoyed hearing about it from me. He also adored my husband and Jimmy. I think he would be happy I have posted a little bit of his story on this post. To tell it all I'd be talking all day and then some. I can tell you how I remember driving with my grandmother to go pick up my uncle just home from the Vietnam war. I vividly remember this trip because it was at night and the moths were thick in the car's headlights. I don't know what happened to all the moths but it is not like that anymore. I can tell you all the fun my uncle had as not only a soldier but also as a teacher in the prison system in Florida helping countless prisoners to turn their lives around by getting their GED, I could tell you about his love for cars, and fruit, and Florida, and his family, his great big huge pride in having served with the 173rd Airborne during the Vietnam War, and so much more but I will stop for now. If you have ever seen the movie We Were Soldiers you can see the determination those soldiers who fought in Vietnam displayed and also the camaraderie. This was my uncle to the end and we remember him this special Memorial Day. 

Just about everyone knows someone who has served not only in the Vietnam War but in many of the wars since then. You may even know someone who has perhaps paid the ultimate price for serving; whether that is during war or after as in the case of my uncle it is the greatest sacrifice. Let us take time to reflect for all of our veterans. Let us be quiet, dignified, and respectful for their sacrifices and let us tread on hallowed ground and think of all the brave souls who have passed before us on this Memorial Day. 
Picture from my nephew in Bushnell Veteran's Cemetery in Florida.


So you see this Memorial Day will be extra poignant for all of us in my family who knew my uncle. He exemplified all of the veterans who bravely fight for us every day and who will not be forgotten....


in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

21 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your uncle with us.

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  2. Tina, what a lovely tribute to an obviously courageous man. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and all that are associated with and loved your uncle.

    I always thank service men and woman when I see them out in our community, like in restaurants. It is a nice thing to do for their valiant service keeping us safe and secure. We have an air base here that is getting threatened by budget cuts to be eliminated often. It keeps surviving, but I can understand the constant moving that these service people have to endure and really understand why kindness of a meal and time with family is important. Memorial Day is one of our most important holidays. I view it equal to Christmas and Easter for the religious aspect naturally, not the fun celebrations.

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  3. I'm sorry for the loss of your uncle. Sharing his story is a great way to honor his memory. Thank you for posting this for us to read on this Memorial Day.

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  4. Tina, I thought you might know. Is Uncle Ricky stone a copy of what is in Arlington? It states it to a clear.

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    1. I think it is Dawn. I Googled the headstones at Arlington and they appear to be the same. It may but that there is a standard stone for all veterans in all veteran cemeteries with only the emblem (in Uncle Rick's case a cross) signifying religion whether Christian, or another type. Good question.

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    2. Yup, you are right Tina and I am wrong as I also goggled it after writing what I wrote. Should have done that before writting. Makes sense as they all are run by the Department of Veterans Affairs I think.

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  5. Love your post my father and two uncles served in Vietnam. My bother and I as well as my other 3 uncles have served also.

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  6. What a wonderful tribute to Uncle Rick and my one and only sibbling!! Even if it did make me cry but I just have to remember and be thankful that he is with Nana and Baba now and pain free. He has gone thru so very much pain in the past 5 years. I do however see a mistake on the tombstone. Do you see it. In my humble opinion the people (funeral home) were as pathetic as humanly possible. They should not be in that business anymore. Great post, Uncle Rick would be very proud!

    Dawn I do not remember there being as much infor on the stones at Arlington but I could be wrong. Hard to be sure in a photo but it looks like Uncle Ricks is larger also. Uncle Rick's also has more infor on the back. Mishi's name is listed on the back. I will ask David. Since he was a member of the Honor Guard at Arlington back in his Navy days, he should know.

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    1. It is sad to think he is gone for sure Mom. The only problem I see with the headstone is that Uncle Rick did not serve in the Gulf War. Is that what you are talking about? He was on duty at the time it kicked off though and left Fort Bragg to retire to Florida that August of 1990. I am not sure when his retirement leave was up and if it went past January 16, 1991 then he would get credit for the Persian Gulf I believe. I don't see any real issues with it though.

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    2. Yes that is what I am talking about. However I do think he retired in late June or early July of 1991 as I was down at your house when he retired and he had stuff stored at your house and it was either when I went down to get your kids when your were going to the gulf of bringing them back to you after you came home. I thought when I read the stone that it meant he was in the Persian Gulf so I am wrong again. Maybe I should just go back to bed today, LOL.

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    3. Mom, it was in 1990-August that Uncle Rick beat feet and got out town and thus avoided the deployment. We deployed in September of that year for Desert Shield. Desert Storm kicked off when the war started in January 1991. It may be that his retirement leave took him through this date so the Gulf War would work, Back then solders who retired usually had tons of terminal leave like this. Nonetheless it is fine it is on there. No right or wrong just some discussion.

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  7. Beautifully written, Tina. I can see why you are so proud....

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  8. All I can say..to you and your family..is THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
    Hugs, Linda

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  9. The Traveling Vietnam wall is currently here at Ft. Gordon! We went to see it and yes, it was very somber and made one really stop and think. As I stroll the tent looking at the pictures and read stories told by the soldiers, I was sweating like crazy as it was hot in that tent. I could not complain as I could only imagine the awful conditions they had to endure for so long. They made the ultimate sacrifice for us! I was happy to meet your Uncle Rick and The Saint really enjoyed the time they had to chat while you and I stroll the gardens... Again, thanks to you and Mr. Fixit for your time seved for us all as well....

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  10. Tina these personal stories are the best because they keep the memory, the love and the service of our loved ones alive. My uncle fought in 3 wars including Vietnam and died of cancer at age 81. We buried him in Arlington in 2002. He was an amazing man. My neighbor across the street lost her husband a few years ago in Iraq..I posted about him last year in remembrance. I have been to the Vietnam Memorial and it was quite sobering, but have never seen this memorial. Thx for sharing this story.

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  11. I am very sorry that you have lost your uncle, and I want to thank you and your family for serving.

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  12. Your pride in your uncle is certainly justified. I had the honor to see the real Vietnam Wall in Washington DC and I will never forget it. I love that sign at the top of this post, saying "This is hallowed ground"

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  13. Tina ~ perfect post for Memorial Day. Your uncle was a true hero and our country is fortunate to have had him and all the others serve. We owe them so much.

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  14. A wonderful tribute to your uncle, Tina. My thanks go out to every serviceman for his or her sacrifice for our country, not only on Memorial Day, but every day.

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  15. Graduation is sad for me too Tina. :-(
    I hope your son has a bright future ahead.

    I wanted to also come back & say I looked up your David Austin (Falstaf) ~ it's beautiful. I have almost exclusively David Austins since they are so hardy & that is a major consideration here. Plus the fragrance and those full petaled blooms bowled me over the first time I saw them. Abraham Darby was my first & still my favorite. :)
    I love that you look things up ~ I do that too!

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