Date posted: May 29, 2007 - Tuesday
Title: From One Soldier to Another
Current mood: Humble
It is late on the evening of Memorial Day, or more correctly very early on the morning after Memorial Day.
I have seen all the bulletins and messages on MySpace today about veterans and remembering the things they have done for us and our country.
And I have thought back to my own military service; and to my father's.
I can't say I ever understood my father. I am not sure he ever understood me either. And this lack of knowledge of each other can be traced directly to the sacrifices he made in the service of this country.
He did not have to make the ultimate sacrifice others have made in the service to this country, but the twenty plus years he served in the US Navy were, to my mind, a sacrifice as great.
In those years a family of children grew to adulthood without the benefit of a father around all the time when he was needed. And a wife and mother had to deal with the everyday trials and tribulations that arise in raising a family without the benefit of a husband at her side all the time.
My father served at a time of great patriotism during WWII and the soldier was appreciated and honored. And he served for many years after when a career in the military meant long periods away from his family for poor wages and lack of appreciation from the public. He did what he had to do in the service of his country and for the benefit of his family.
And that service took its’ toll. During that service and afterwards there were hard times which could be traced to his military career and the changes it made in him and in those he loved. I won't speak of those here as they are family matters and the price he willingly paid as a part of his service. It is not my place to speak of things he would not have spoken of.
And though I never grew to know my father as I might have wanted, the time we did spend together after his retirement and the years that have passed since his death have given me the wisdom to appreciate the road he traveled. I understand the sacrifice and how hard it must have been. I understand the strength it took to walk the path he took. And I know he was a stronger man than I am in many ways.
I spent my two years in the US Army and served honorably. I have two brothers who served in the military honorably as well. I think we know at least a little of what it took to serve as long as my father served in the military.
This is my salute. From one soldier to another. To my father.
Walter L. Fisher LCDR US Navy (Ret)
