Memorial Day

Even though it's late on this special weekend, the reason for the holiday has been on my mind for days. Rich and I have our poppies and wear them with pride. The Army has always been a part of my family's life.

My dad served in World War II and subsequently spent his career in the Illinois Army National Guard as a full-timer.

Since I graduated from high school in 1967, I knew many who served during the Vietnam years. My first husband served there in the Army...fortunately he survived...our marriage didn't.

Both of my brothers have served in the Army. This is my youngest sibling, Tom, and regrettably I don't have a photo of Wayne in uniform.

I didn't meet him until years later, but MOAO also served in the Army in the sixties.

I have always been so proud of the Army men in my life and so acutely aware of the fact that freedom is not free...so many have paid so much for the freedoms we all too often take for granted.