Veteran's Day Update

Today, of course, is November Eleventh; the anniversary of the end of World War One, supposedly the supreme end to all of war. Of course, that was not to be... and as the song says:

And I can't help but wonder, no Willie McBride,
Do all those who lie here know why they died?
Did you really believe them when they told you "The Cause?"
Did you really believe that this war would end wars?
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame
The killing, the dying, it was all done in vain,
For Willie McBride, it all happened again,
And again, and again, and again, and again.

Hopefully everyone out there got a chance to visit with a veteran, or at least spared a thought for those who have sacrificed for our country - and another thought for those who are still out there fighting.

I was lucky enough to spend the last two days visiting with George Smith of Able Company. It's always a treat to spend time with him and his wife, Doris, but especially this year. Doris had a nasty stroke several months ago, and the road to recovery has been a very hard one. At one point, there was some doubt as to whether she would survive. However, "Kid" is back home and doing well. She needs a walker from time to time and has flashes of confusion, but is ready and willing to spar wits with George, which is no small feat. To see the two of them sniping at each other is to witness the kind of affectionate love that most people only hope to experience. They really do keep each other going, and it's a wonderful thing to experience even from the outside. When visiting, I really feel like I'm at the home of some far-flung grandparents.

We celebrated the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps with grilled steaks and a toast to the Corps and those who couldn't be with us. There is a floral arrangement standing in their living room; red poinsettias and gold gilded leaves, the colors of the Marines. Usually, George dedicates the flowers to an unknown Marine, but this year, he said, they were specifically for Moo Moo, in the hopes that somewhere he will know he isn't forgotten. I was even moved by grace said over the meal, which hasn't happened in some time.

Once again, I left with a heavy heart. I never get to spend enough time with George, and I always feel that we're just hitting our stride when it's time for me to leave. He sent me away with a few more treats: most of the remainder of his photo collection, about half of which are duplicates (but destined for the trash, most likely, if I hadn't taken them), a Bowie knife from the USMC Bicentennial (a MASSIVE piece of cutlery), and - most important to me - a towel he "appropriated" from his stay in Naval Hospital #10 at Aiea Heights, Oahu, after being evacuated from Saipan. "You're now an accomplice in the theft of Navy property!" he joked as I headed out the door.

Somehow, I don't think they'll mind, and if they do, they'll have to take it from me.

Have a safe and thoughtful November Eleventh. Pictures to follow in due course. And, as always, Semper Fidelis.