Memorial Day

Remembering those who have served and those who are serving our country. Both of my grandfather's served in WWII on board ships in the Navy. Young and full of piss n' vinegar, they proudly wore those Navy stripes and did their time for America. I remember my Grumpy telling me how he used to lay in the sun on the flightdeck. "Ten minutes on the front, ten minutes on the back...the best damn tan I ever had" is what he said. He was a gunner's mate... responsible for loading the big guns. He told me it was hard to be down below hearing the explosions and fighting go on above wondering if he was going to be blown to smithereens at any second.

Our generations are so much more tolerant of others, but both of my grandfather's were very bitter towards the Japanese. Not that they were the only ones we fought against in WWII, but they were the ones "who started it". To me, it doesn't matter who started it. Many sons, husbands, brothers and fathers were lost all over the world. A foreign mother, wife, sister, or daughter would mourn a loss and grieve just as strongly as an American. War is not pretty. Terrible things happen to all involved.... whether it's us doing it or having it done to us.

Lighting a candle and remembering them, all over the world, on this day.