The last time I saw my Uncle John alive my mom was entertaining a rather large family visiting from Sweden. She had promised them a year earlier that they could stay at her house while vacationing. As she prepared a nice welcoming meal, my dad made the necessary trip to Ann Arbor’s U. of M. Hospital with my Uncle John hanging on tight from the back of his Harley.
My wife and I, my brother and sister-in-law, and all the Swedes got reacquainted in my mom’s walkout basement. Suzanne Andersen, a foreign exchange student during my college days, shared pictures of her new home and extended family. When my dad arrived, my mom went upstairs to see her brother. My dad whispered to my brother and I, “The doctor said there’s nothing more he can do for your uncle. The cancer’s too wide spread.” He suggested that we go visit with him.
I hadn’t seen my Uncle John in well over a year, so when I went upstairs I kept thinking—What can you possibly say to a dying man? I did the best I could, shaking his hand and greeting him with a “Hello Uncle John,” followed by a “you’re not doing so well, huh?” With very little energy left for conversation, he managed to say, “Not at all.” After a moment of awkward silence, I said, “Hang in there,” and left.
Three weeks later, after the Swedes departure, my Uncle John died. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving his country at a very young age. He never spoke about the war, however, he sent letters home to my mom along with pictures.
In Sweden, every young adult male must serve their country for a mandatory two years. I often wonder whether our country should do the same. Today, we give thanks to our United State’s veterans for their dedication and commitment in protecting our country. We also remember those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom. God Bless.
14 comments:
Amen to that. MW
Jim, I remember the moment. Yes, we should give thanks to the Veterans out there for their sacrifice. We even get a day off for their fight. As I always say, we "must" hang in there and not give up! --Bro, Ron
I love this post. The picture is stunning -- very powerful. And it's so hard to talk to the dying. I had a job at an AIDS hospice for a bit and ended up writing down a lot of dying people's stories for their families to keep. It wasn't as awful as it sounds -- there's a lot to learn from those about to leave the earth. And amen to the thanks to the veterans, whether we agree with a particular war or not, they are the ones who deserve all our love and support.
Great post, Jim, and photo. My husband & I went to Baker's Square last night, for coffee & pie, before we headed to the grocery store. An 84 year old veteran of WWII, sitting alone, across from us, told us some great stories. I felt honored to listen. In fact, today would be a fitting day to repeat them, with a post.
Great post. Salute to the Veterans!
Great post. Salute to the Veterans!
wow that sure is some heavy artillary!
Wow, fantastic post. Love the photo. I can see the resemblance. The Swedes are onto something -- mandatory service of some kind after high school is a good idea. The Swedes have managed to stay out of wars since Napoleonic days -- close to 200 years. As have the Swiss, who also have mandatory service, just in case. Happy Veterans Day.
This is a really great post. I never served in the military, but sometimes I wish I had. Heck, I don't really know what to say here, but thanks for sharing this, it's very moving.
That's a very moving photo. I can see the resemblance between you and your uncle. There but for the grace of God...?
The Vietnam war was one of the worst because it was not winnable and so many young American men went to their doom there. A lot of others fled here to Canada as "draft dodgers". But you could recognize them because they all had that look of shame in their eyes. "Draft dodger" became a derogatory term here in Canada. They had lost their honor.
What a nice tribute to your uncle and to all the other men and women who have gone to war.
Cheers,
Josie
Great Post and a great picture of your Uncle John. I remember when my Uncle Kenny went to Nam. He was also very young. He came back a totally different person. War does that to a man. But I am very proud of him and his service to our country. I salute all the Veterans of war. They gave the sacrifice so we can live in Freedom.
Give freedom to the Veterans as they have given us freedom!!!!!!
Great post and photograph.
Veterans, and of course those now on active duty, have a whole lot more courage than I can say for most in America. The mandatory two year service sounds like a good thing.
Other countrie have mandatory 1-2 yrs military service, how about the US???
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