Memorial Day Brings Back Memories

I wasn't quite sure where this post belonged, but the word "Support" seemed fitting.

Like many of you, I had family and friends who served in the military at some time in their lives. My Dad was in the US Navy during World War II; and he met my Mom, when his submarine was using Perth, West Australia as their home port. That's how this mixed up child became a duel citizen of Australia and American.

I can see how Mom fell for this good looking Yank...even though he looked like a pirate in this photo from the 40's.



Two of the submarines on which Dad served were sunk during the war. It is a wonder that he survived to become the father that I loved.

As for me, I was a Navy wave back in the 60's. Though I never got to go overseas, I often think that I should have received 'hazardous duty pay'. As one of only 19 unmarried waves at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, I was always under attack. Of course, I didn't mind.



Those were some great years of my youth, but they also contained some sadness too. As a journalist, I wanted to be sent to Vietnam to cover the 'action'...to be 'at the front'; but back then, the only Navy women allowed in a combat areas were nurses. It would be many years later, before I took up that profession.

I got to meet several, fine, young men who did get sent to 'Nam. Some came home; others did not.

Today, I am remembering them all; but especially a young man, named Tom Collins. Yep, that was his name...just like the drink. He was everybody's friend and kept us all smiling with his generous wit. Tom was a tall, good looking kid of about 20, when he was sent to Vietnam as a hepicopter gunner. He died that same year, when his chopper was shot down on a mission to pickup wounded GI's. Tom was the first person who I really knew that died in the war, but he wasn't the last.

I loved a young sailor named Don Goebel. He ended up serving as a firefighter on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Oriskany, when there was a horrible fire, while it was out to sea. That awful fire nearly gutted the hangar bay and killed 44 men, who were sleeping in their quarters nearby. Happily, Don survived; but it was a sad homecoming for the ship, when she arrived in San Diego. This was not the typical, cheering celebration of homecoming, as the men descended the gangway to be met by grateful family. They survived, but too many others had died. The grief was still fresh in the crew members who could not help their friends.

Many wonderful young men and women choose to serve in our military. That choice carries with it a great sacrifice. Many give up the comfort of home and family; and all people who serve in the military are put at risk in some way. Many of those service men and woman will make the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, like my friend Tom and those young sailors on the Oriskany. Others will just 'grow up a bit' with the experience and learn new realities of life.

Today is Memorial Day. It is just another 'holiday' for some folks...just day to skip work. For others, it has a more important meaning, because we know what it truly represents.

How many of you have served in the military...are serving...or have loved ones who 'did their time'...maybe even 'paid the price' for our liberty today? Who are you remembering on Memorial Day?