A Veteran's Journey

Monday is Memorial Day.

I’ve posted this article on Memorial Day for the past few years, with only a few slight changes. Why? Because it speaks volumes about how I personally feel about Memorial Day as a US Navy veteran.

For many years, I was one of “those” who appreciated the long, 3-day weekend, the cookouts, and the extra time spent at the beach or the lake with family and friends. Of course, I recognized the real meaning of the day. But as I get older, aka “seasoned,” I’m now more appreciative of what our veterans—those with us as well as those we’ve lost—did for me… for us… for our country.

God bless all veterans!

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I didn’t know him personally, but he was my father’s best friend during World War II. They shared many hard and challenging times together on the front lines in Europe fighting the Germans and the weather. But they also found time for a few laughs along their journey. Such is the way with combat veterans. My father never talked about Kad, but he wrote about him in his diary. After many years of searching, I found Kad’s family and let them know Kad was one of my dad’s heroes.

I didn’t know them personally, but they were from my hometown. They all attended Gainesville High School, graduating a few years before me. Like so many others, they fought for what they believed in. Several times a year, out local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter gathers at their graveside to honor these fallen friends: Marcus, Freddy, Alton, and Tommy.

I didn’t know him personally, but I was there when he died on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk during Westpac ’75. It’s not something one forgets. During an aircraft crash, you must remain focused and do your job to help keep everyone else safe, dealing with the situation as best as you can. I know many of my veteran friends know exactly what I’m talking about. You react based on your instinct and your training. Andrew was just doing his job, the same as the rest of us. But he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a fellow shipmate who left behind a wife and a young child.

I didn’t know him personally, but I knew of him. He was my son’s age. I know his parents—we attend the same church and are in the same Sunday school class. When I ride or walk by his memorial on the church grounds, I always pause for a moment to say a quick prayer. Chris was an Army infantryman, killed in action in Baghdad. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [John 15:3].

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I can’t help but think of my father, A.Z. Adkins, Jr., who served with the 80th Infantry Division during WWII, fighting in Europe. He made it back, but so many of his buddies didn’t. I think of Dr. Rufus K. Broadaway who served with the 82nd Airborne and dropped in behind enemy lines the early morning of June 6, 1944, landing in an apple tree. He made it back, too. I married his daughter.

When I was younger, I knew Memorial Day was important to my father, and I’m sure to Becky’s dad, too. As a kid, while our parents wanted us to know about the war, they didn’t want us to worry. I’m sure they spent a little quiet time on Memorial Day thinking about those men they served with that didn’t make it back.

My mom once told me that before she met my father (they met after the war), she had written letters to a lot of soldiers who were friends from high school and college. Many didn’t come back. I’m sure she also spent a little quiet time on Memorial Day with her own thoughts.

There will be many different types of ceremonies this Memorial Day, but we will remember—we will always remember. Veterans and families will still be out there, paying tribute to their fallen brothers, family members, and even strangers who gave their all.

I know I always take time during this day, like I’ve done for the past 40+ years, to remember the sacrifices our soldiers and sailors made in order for us to preserve our freedoms. I hope that you’ll find a little quiet time this Memorial Day to remember and… Never Forget.

All gave some, some gave all.
Fair Winds and Following Seas.
We Have the Watch.

Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books, including You Can’t Get Much Closer Than This-Combat with the 80th “Blue Ridge” Division in World War II Europe, published by Casemate Publishers (2005) and selected as the Book of the Month for the Military Book Club. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran’s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness; NEVER FORGET is offered as a FREE (PDF, eBook format) download. Adkins also writes a weekly blog, “A Veteran’s Journey.”