For John, BLUF: I am opposed to a one size fits all view of Memorial Day. It is different for each of us. Nothing to see here; just move along.
Me3morial Day is about those who died while serving their Nation, our Nation. I think of my Roommate at the Air Force Academy, Alan Trent, who died doing Close Air Support in South Viet-nam. I think of Bob Rex, known in our Cadet Squadron as "Edipus". He was flying a C-130 in South Viet-nam, which blew up after takeoff. There was may classmate from the Air Force Academy and Pilot Training, Karl Richter, who died during a low threat 200th mission over North Viet-nam. Karl and I were in the last row of the lowest EE Section, both struggling to understand how current flows. I think of my Pilot Training Roommate, Asdo Kommendant, of Lakewood, NJ, but originally from Estonia, who died on his first mission in South Viet-nam, out of Cam Rsnh Bay.
And, I think of my Wife's late husband, who I never met, who died on day 179 of a 90 day deployoment to Okinawa. His squadron was deployed there to replace F-102s, which were deployed to Southeast Asia to provide Air Defense there. Robert Harlan was an F-4 Back Seat Pilot doing a night air defense training mission against an electronic jamming EB-57, using a brand new technique, out over the Pacific, at low altitude, at night, after coming off of an air refueling exeercise. A number of different challenges,
The result was a lost aircraft and two crewmembers missing and presumed dead, And a Widow and two children without a Father. Very sad, Which is why we have a Memorial Day.
So, on Memorial Day I remember a number of people, including my Wife and my two oldest children, who lost a family member. And Bob Harlan's Sister and Brother and Parents, who I have met. I have heard the expression, "Everyone game something and some gave everything." That applies to family members also.
Regards — Cliff
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