A Veteran

My Dad joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. He didn't join to see the world or to serve his country. At the time it was a job and it was a way for him to escape an abusive relationship at home with his Father. He spent four years in the Navy and ended up in Memphis where he met my Mom. He didn't re-enlist after that first four year stint. He drove a bus for awhile but decided that he wanted to be in the Navy. He rejoined. He was an aviation ordinance man, which meant he loaded the bombs and missles on the planes. He traveled through Eurpoe and the Mid-East while he was in the Navy. He spent some time off the shores of Korea. While I was growing up every year he would spend two weeks aboard an aircraft career. He raised up in the ranks until he ended up as a Master Chief. I remember the day he retired. I was out of school, just graduated so I went with him and my Mom to the ceremony. They ring a ship's bell to "ring" him out of the service. He tried not to let anyone see it but I could see the tears in his eyes as he bid an end to a big part of his life. For my Dad he was a sailor for his whole life. I think that is part of the reason he had such a dislike to our current President. He hated the fact that Bush was sending so many young men and women into harm's way. Towards the end of his life he would literally break down in tears he would get so worked up about these brave service men and women dying for reasons that Bush never could make clear.

For this day I'll remember a veteran that I still miss.