Day of Remembrance

[cokieslittlegirl]

I'm thinking of all of the veterans today, past and present. Their sacrifices are not truly understood by many...some sacrifice their lives and many more sacrifice the rest of their lives due to PTSD and debilitating injuries.

My Dad was a Vietnam War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service. He saw some of the worst conflict during some of the worst years of the war, 1967-68.  He fought his demons left by the war everyday of his life...he paid a huge price...back then they didn't have a choice to enlist.

Today also happens to be the 9 month anniversary of his death.  The demons can no longer occupy his mind, his mind is at rest. 

I miss you Daddy. Today and everyday I honor your bravery in life and in death.

[browneyedgirl]

Very beautifully put, both my grandfather and father in law are Veteran's of WWII. 

Very sorry for the loss of your Dad, and I thank him for his service

A great thread and post on this special day.

[georgiapeaches]

Yes very beautifully put.

Georgia.

[laurenE]

I too am thankful for all of those who have served and are serving.

  Cokielittlegirl,

My father was also a WWII vet, fighting on the front lines.   He would still  wake us up at night screaming, from a nightmare 20 yrs later.  He would drink to fight the memories.  The alcohol, the brain and lung cancer and the PTSD combined killed him. He got a purple heart, bronze, and many many others.  I have his flag and metals framed. 

So thank you daddy for all that you did for me,  for us.  And thanks to all of those other dads and gpas too.

love,
lauren

[tsurandy]

Great Post!  I am greatful to all who served in our military.  Peace be with you!

[cokieslittlegirl]

Thank you all for responding. Yesterday was a really hard day.  I thought a lot about my Dad's sacrifices and how he lived his life. I am so proud of him, his strength, courage, perserverance. He was lucky in that through these dark times he didn't succumb to alcohol, drugs, etc to numb the pain.  Though I know there were many points in his life where that may have been an option.

He fought through so much in his life so valiantly, but in the end cancer took his life away from him and us.  After everything he went through, it was the only thing he couldn't overcome. It will just never add up.

My Dad is a hero to me, I couldn't love anyone or anything more than I love him.