Spent the holiday weekend with family over in Ohio. My wonderful Aunt invited my whole tribe (all 16 of us) to come and stay for a few days...so we did. Memorial Day weekend is a great time for cook outs, and swimming, and watching all the grand kids try to choke down as much watermelon as possible in the shortest amount of time. It is also a time for us to remember what we have here in America, and then reflect on the lives of the men and women that have served in our military services to keep this land free.
My dad was a retired Sergeant Major in the Indiana National Guard, he was also in the regular Army and served in Germany in 1959-1960, we lost him in January of 2016 at the age of 79. My Uncle Ed was a retired Warrant Officer (W5) and he spent his time in the service flying helicopters, and we lost him last year. My wife's Uncle Bill was a Navy man that served in WWII as a radio man. His job was to sneak on to a pacific island, some as small as big rocks, and install comms gear so observers could report Japanese fleet movements to the US Pacific fleet. He also fought in several skirmishes around the Philippines, and sadly he's been gone for some time now. My mom's Uncle Bob served in WWII and was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge, decorated with the Purple Heart, we lost him several years ago. My Uncle Keith served with the US Army in Vietnam, and he survived the war but we lost him a couple years ago to lung disease that he likely picked up while serving.
I would also like to remember two men here. I am not related to them, but found their names during some genealogical research.
Capt. Archie Andrew Hayman of Gallipolis Ohio. He was KIA on 04/02/1968 in Kontum Province of Vietnam. He was a helicopter pilot and gave his life trying to save troops on the ground. He is honored on Panel 47E, Row 39 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
1LT Tracy Henry Murrey of Miles City Montana. He served with 2ND PLT, C CO, 4TH BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 173RD ABN BDE, USARV and was KIA on 11/20/1967 in Kontum Province Vietnam. Tracy Henry Murrey was killed during a massive attempt on Hill 875 near Dak To. 123 men lost their lives during this intense 3 day firefight. He is honored on Panel 30E, Line 46 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
So I pretty much observed radio silence this weekend, and will get back at it later this week. Coming home from vacation and going right back to work is a shock to the system.
God Bless America!
73 de KB9BVN
No comments:
Post a Comment