05-28-2025, 02:28 PM
I think it wonderful how parks and cemetaries have statues, gardens, etc., for veterans. It is something that should be done and am glad that the attention to it remains strong and maintained. That is a peaceful looking scene, Rich.
On Memorial Day I was driving around with the radio on and they were interviewing a WWII veteran that was brought in to attend a special dedication ceremony in the Detroit area. He was asked how come WWII vets never talked about their experiences in the war. His response was one I had never heard of before.
He said that when war broke out, every eligible male in the country either enlisted or was drafted. It was either or. I recall my father telling me that he enlisted in the Coast Guard because he wanted to be able to choose which branch of the service he wanted to join. He was fortunate, in spite of being part of the amphibious attacks on the Japanese islands, his ship survived the aerial attacks and he came home safe. My dad NEVER talked about the war. The man being interviewed added that after the war, the men came home, and it was time to settle down, get married, get a job, buy a house, have children, etc. You got on with your life. He added that every man was doing the same thing since so many served and were in the same situation.
I know one thing though. That after my father experienced what he did in the war, he did not want his son to serve. Luckily my brother's draft number was never picked for the Vietnam War. On the other hand, my husband was blessed that he survived his deployment to Vietnam.
LORELL
On Memorial Day I was driving around with the radio on and they were interviewing a WWII veteran that was brought in to attend a special dedication ceremony in the Detroit area. He was asked how come WWII vets never talked about their experiences in the war. His response was one I had never heard of before.
He said that when war broke out, every eligible male in the country either enlisted or was drafted. It was either or. I recall my father telling me that he enlisted in the Coast Guard because he wanted to be able to choose which branch of the service he wanted to join. He was fortunate, in spite of being part of the amphibious attacks on the Japanese islands, his ship survived the aerial attacks and he came home safe. My dad NEVER talked about the war. The man being interviewed added that after the war, the men came home, and it was time to settle down, get married, get a job, buy a house, have children, etc. You got on with your life. He added that every man was doing the same thing since so many served and were in the same situation.
I know one thing though. That after my father experienced what he did in the war, he did not want his son to serve. Luckily my brother's draft number was never picked for the Vietnam War. On the other hand, my husband was blessed that he survived his deployment to Vietnam.
LORELL