Memorial Day

[Tin-Can]

My father was married with 1 child (my oldest sister) and the day after 7 Dec 1941, he tried to enlist. He was told he was too old, and was placed on a list that would be the very last to be called up when and if needed. He didn't like that answer. His 2 older brothers were both Navy, one during WWI, one on active duty when Pearl Harbor was attacked. So he went to the Merchant Marine Union Hall and joined. He spent the remaining almost 4 years of WWII on a "coaster" up and down the US west coast. Never involved in any action. When Reagan was President, by executive order he declared all Coast Guardsmen as equal to the other 4 US Military Services. And since during time of war, the Merchant Marine falls under the control of the Coast Guard, my father obtained veteran status.  He is buried in Riverside National in California. 

        

There has been a man from my family involved in just about every conflict since the Barbary Pirates, all Navy. But the only one that I know of that was KIA, was a cousin in Vietnam. Jack A. Corn. Never met him, don't know the details of his service. But I did find his name on the Vietnam Wall back in 1990. I did a Staff Assistance Team Visit to the 113th FW ANG at Andrews and had a day to make a fast tourist trip thru D.C.  


 This was in Sept 1990, just after the Iraq invasion of Kuwait, and just as Desert Shield was starting.  Since Desert Storm and up to today, I have seen the lines of total strangers lined up in airports to honor our troops as they return home. 
It sure is different from 1973 when I first enlisted.  It was strongly recommended to us (USAF) if we were traveling on commercial air, to travel in civilian clothes. 

I have been blessed to have served 20 years on active duty, and have a son that served in USAF also. We both came out without any physical damage from enemy forces.  

Would we do it again ?  In a heart beat.   So today has been, is, and always will be a day we will remember and honor those that gave all, and many who are still "missing"