I didn\u2019t know them personally, but they were from my hometown and attended Gainesville High School<\/strong>, graduating a few years before me. Several times a year, our local Vietnam Veterans of America<\/strong> chapter gathers at their graveside to honor these fallen friends: Marcus<\/em><\/strong>, Freddy<\/em><\/strong>, Alton<\/em><\/strong>, and Tommy<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I didn\u2019t know him personally, but I was there when he died on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk<\/em><\/strong> during Westpac \u201875<\/strong>. It\u2019s not something one forgets. During an aircraft crash, you have to stay focused and do your job to help keep everyone else safe, dealing with the emergency as best you can. I know many of my veteran friends know exactly what I\u2019m talking about. You react, based on your instinct and training. Andrew<\/em><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I didn\u2019t know him personally, but I knew of him. He was my son\u2019s age. I know his parents\u2014we attend the same church and in the same Sunday school class. When I ride or walk by his memorial on the church grounds, I always pause for a moment and say a quick prayer. Chris<\/em><\/strong> was an Army infantryman who was killed in action in Baghdad<\/strong>. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. [John 15:3]<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t know about you, but as I grow older, Memorial Day<\/strong> has greater meaning to me. There\u2019s a deeper feeling of patriotism, a deeper emotion of people who have gone on, and a deeper respect for those who served (even though they\u2019re still with us).<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can\u2019t help but think of my father, A. Z. Adkins, Jr.<\/em><\/strong>, who served with the 80th Infantry Division<\/strong> during WWII<\/strong>, fighting in Europe. He made it back, but so many of his buddies didn\u2019t. I think of Dr. Rufus K. Broadaway<\/em><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was younger, I know Memorial Day was important to my father, and I\u2019m sure to Becky\u2019s dad, too. As a kid, while our parents wanted us to know about the war, they didn\u2019t want us to worry. I\u2019m sure they spent a little quiet time on Memorial Day thinking about those men they served with who didn\u2019t make it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t come back. I\u2019m sure she also spent a little quiet time on Memorial Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, 2021, we are in a different, unprecedented situation. Normally, there would be thousands of ceremonies around the country, remembering loved ones, friends, colleagues, and unknown soldiers. However, because of COVID-19, those \u201cnormal\u201d ceremonies won\u2019t be normal. Not yet. We’re getting there… and I pray, soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, there will be different types of ceremonies, but we will remember\u2013we will always remember<\/em>. Veterans and families will still be out there, paying tribute to their fallen brothers, family members, and even strangers who gave their all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know I always take time during the day, like I\u2019ve done for the past 40+ years, to remember the sacrifices our soldiers & sailors made in order for us to preserve our freedoms. I hope that you\u2019ll find a little quiet time to remember and Never Forget<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAll gave some, some gave all.
Fair Winds and Following Seas. We Have the Watch.<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/WeHaveTheWatch-1.jpg?resize=509%2C646&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n