Don at 2004 D-Day Memorial Wreath at Normandy
After hoisting the Flag at the Recreation HQ today, I wanted
to share a thought or two about Memorial Day 2012. I can’t help but first remember my trip to
the 2004 60th Anniversary of D-Day service at Normandy where
President Bush gave the following speech.
President Bush Speech at the 60th Anniversary
of D-Day (a great and moving read)
That trip and tour (it was a present from my wife for my
50th birthday) was a life changing experience for me. I got to meet and talk (and even tour) with WW2
vets who were there at D-Day. Some told
me stories they had never told to any of their family members.
My Dad served in the 97th Infantry
in Europe in WW2 (he passed away in 1998).
I also remember those who served and/or died in the
Korean and Vietnam Wars. Frank Price
was a Korean War Vet and land-use activist in the Bakersfield area (he has
since passed away).
Gary Wilson was a childhood friend of mine and he was
shot down in a helicopter in Vietnam. I
remember playing football and baseball with him and going over to his home
where his mom often made Congo squares for us.
I got to visit him at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C last
summer.
As I go to visit my Dad at the cemetery today, I want also
want to especially remember those who have fallen (and served) in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know many of you who have served and while
many call the WW2 generation the “Greatest Generation” – I will argue (and my
Dad would most likely agree) that this generation is just as great.
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