We Remember...

Today is Memorial Day. But, also it would have been the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy, the man who commanded almost sixty years ago, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And with those words, fueled the patriotism of so many.

Today, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not get to come back home. We honor them and also those who loved them and got their hearts broken in the process.

I know their pain well...

He was the man I wish I could have married. He was a platoon leader with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He had the soul of a poet and the spirit of a soldier. He loved to run and crack jokes. He was articulate and well-read. He loved his family, his country and freedom. Barely four months in Viet Nam, he was killed by shrapnel from a mine tripped by one of his men. They say he ordered the corpsman to take care of the other wounded first. In the meantime, he lost so much blood that he died aboard a medevac en route to the hospital. He was only 24 years old.

I went on living, but I think of him often. I am saddened by the loss of such potential. I question the fairness of our destiny. I mourn over what could have been, but never was.

And regret that after all these years, we have not learned to coexist in peace. Today, I join my voice to others clamoring for peace in the world. Today, I wish again for men to discover we are much more alike than different. Today, I hold fast to the hope that one day we may learn to stop hating and rather love.

Today, I wish for the spirit of brotherhood to shine brightly in the hearts of all that no one has to say goodbye to a loved one again because of war.

Today, I hope we learn to respect each other and truly believe that, “All men are created equal.”

But most of all, today I hold fast to the hope of a happy reunion in the future with my young Marine. Rest in peace, my sweet love, “ till we meet again.”

This is just my opinion...

As a single woman, a Mormon, and a western/Chinese doctor.