Memories Never Leave
I, like millions of other former service members, have today, Memorial Day, reflected on people we knew who have given their lives for this country. Some died in combat and others in their lives following a war. I personally believe that if they served and have died, they are to be remembered as having provided a benefit to our society.
Memories Prove Are Always Present
It is statistically proven that everyone who has been in combat has some residual or active Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The memories never stop popping up., They are never erased from the memory bank. There is a very positive side to the experience of knowing brothers in combat. Few times in life do we really trust our lives to others. In combat there are times you learn that trust is the key to survival.
I remember vividly having to identify the bodies of two of my comrades in arms after their airplane was shot down. I also remember hearing that one of the guys I had flown with committed suicide after he got back to the states because the memories were too vivid to push out of his mind. There were men who died that we saw or flew with and never knew their names . They were still very real in our memory banks because they fought beside us on a daily basis.
Only Experienced Warriors Understand the Memories!
All said I am reminded that there were also great men who survived and are now friends with whom we can share life, the good memories, and friendships. It is those men that I also commend because they have helped lessen the burden we carry for many years. When I could only think of the traumatic moments of others who lost their lives. I and others have been prone to question God. We want to know why some lived and others died? In my case I did not live because I lived a perfect life Quite the opposite, I won't know why I have been spared and one of my first questions when I get to heaven will be, "why did you spare me, a sinner?" There is a verse in the bible that shows part of the answer: Jeremiah 29:11 says " For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, plans to give you a future and hope."
Tell the next person in uniform or who has been in uniform that you love and appreciate them. It will make a difference.
In Him
Dean