Memorial Day

My Lady had a chance to fill a long held desire this past week when she had an opportunity to be an escort for a Veteran on an Honor Flight and tour of Washington. For those of you who are not familiar with the Honor Flight project it’s a nationwide program that gives elderly veterans an opportunity to tour the military monuments in the DC area and to receive the accolades of those of us who are not of “The Greatest Generation”.

 

There were about 28 Veterans on the flight My Lady volunteered for and each one of them was accompanied by one or two escorts who sole duty was to take care of their charge and to assure that he or she (they were mostly male) came to no harm. It was a long day for all, with an airport assemble at 0400 hours (That’s oh dark awful time) and a return to the local airport at 0030 the following morning (that’s really oh dark awful), since the Veterans were all in in their late eighty’s and ninety’s it was a long, long day. And the escorts, although they are generally younger were more than ready to get home and get some rest. In one day they had visited the monuments, been honored by all the military services, attended a wreath laying at Arlington Cemetery and had suffered the indignity of a cancelled air flight and bus breakdowns that should never have happened.

 

On a side note, when the bus they were riding in expired at the side of the road, the Marines jumped in and not only provided a VIP bus, they staffed it with strong and willing troopers to help the Veterans. And the Marines were not alone, the Air Force provided an active duty member to accompany one old gentleman whose escort could not make the trip and the Army provided the Army Band and an Honor Guard welcome and the Metro government of DC gave the arriving plane a water cannon welcome. It was a long and busy day, but it demonstrated the reality that the people of this country appreciate the effort given by those who came before and fought to maintain the country we have.

 

My Lady is impressed by the resiliency of those who served in prior wars and their willingness to put up with the heat, humidity and the length of the day. These are not people who gripe and moan and complain about the minor events of the day, like the Timex watch they took a licking and keep on ticking. WW II and Korea made them into upright and resilient people who are today enjoying each day as it comes and we lose some of them each and every day. They will be missed by those who care.

 

This weekend is the Memorial Day weekend and it was created for us, all of us, to remember those who previously served and suffered in prior wars. It is not National BBQ day, it’s a day to give thanks for the Veterans and the liberties we enjoy. Enjoy a BBQ with friends and family, but when you say grace before eating remember the Veterans who made it possible.