Memorial Day Reflections

This Memorial Day has been more poignant for me due to the recent death of my father. My father served in the US Air Force from 1956 to 1960. He was stationed in the states during his four-year enlistment. He met my mom while he was stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas. I'm not sure how they met as this was never shared. All I do know is that they fell in love and got married in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 6, 1958. Home movies show my father looking very sharp and handsome in his Air Force uniform standing with my mom. My mom wore a beautiful short, lacy wedding dress.

There is little known about what my Dad was exposed to while in the service. Many service men and women have been exposed to toxic chemicals. My Dad was fortunate in some ways. He was never called to serve in Vietnam. He had never really known what it was like to be unemployed because he was able to take his company pension. Jobs weren't as scarce as they are now for people of a certain age. He was able to dabble in sales and bring in funds. It hasn't been proven and possibly never will be what triggered the thyroid cancer that eventually killed him. I suspect that some of the toxic chemicals he was working with may have had something to do with it.

My Dad served honorably. It was his example that persuaded me to join the service as an airman. I wasn't stationed where he was. I was actually stationed in Hawaii and Washington DC. I am proud of my father's service. He did show me the way to serve with dignity and pride. Thank you, Dad.