Memorial Day

Memorial Day, I was honored to give the speech for the services at the town I was born in.  It is held by the American Legion every year and I have attended for over 40 yrs.  I shared how many Americans have given their lives since the war of 1812.  I also commented on spending time with 2 Vietnam Veterans for 7 months as their soundboard for the experiences they endured in Nam.  Years later, I was privileged and honored to be asked to preach their funerals.  They both died of Agent Orange issues.  I also shared a poem that I wrote for 2 childhood friends who lost their lives in Vietnam.  I gave copies of it to each of their mothers after I wrote it.  This was a great honor for me to be able to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  I lost a cousin on Okinawa. My grandfather fought in the Civil war under Grant,  my brother fought with Patton in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.  My nephew was a Marine in Vietnam. I was interviewed by 2 different newspapers and many of the American Legion members came and shook my hand.  One legion member said it was the best-honoring speech he had ever heard since he had been a member of the local Americal Legion in that town.