The third Friday of September is set aside as POW/MIA recognition day. The Rochester chapter of the POW/MIA riders held a ceremony at the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial to remember our heroes that never came home. Competing with football games is tough, but a crowd of about 50 gathered on a chilly evening at seven as the sun was setting, it seemed fitting for the topic at hand.
It was a nice ceremony filled with emotion. Colors posted, pledge of allegiance, prayer, explaination of the POW/MIA table for one and a speaker who spoke of never forgetting the over 83,000 men and women from the wars in the last century that are still considered as POW/MIA. That is almost the size of a Rochester! "We will never forget, we must never forget."
It made me think of how thankful I am that I was not one of the families that never knew what happened to their loved ones. Curtis came home. As difficult as it is to have lost him, I know what his fate was. I know he did not suffer. How horrible to never know where your child may have suffered and died, if in fact they came to that fate, are they still living? Not having the opportunity to bury them would be more heart wrenching.
Although the date has passed, I hope that everyone notes this date for next year. It's OK to go to the football game, it is those freedoms that these men and women fought for. Just take the time to say a prayer for them and their families. Pray for their return, pray for the family to have some peace and closure.
We must never forget, we will never forget.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Angel Flight
An Angel Flight is the dignified transfer of our fallen men and woman from overseas to their final destination, home. As the body is transfered work is halted and a silence is cast over the area. Military personnel stand at attention from privates to Generals. Engines of helicopters and airplanes are shut down and all other flights are delayed. No one speaks, only salutes are given to the fallen heroes.
Shortly after Curtis was killed we were sent a copy of an e-mail written by an officer who had witnessed this for the first time. He told of how powerful this experience was. He later was told that one of the fallen that day was a fellow Marine from his home state, Minnesota. His father sent us the e-mail because his son was part of Curtis' journey home.
Last week while on the TTTT ride one of our stops was the Tee it up for the Troops event in Mendakota. It is the original tournament that has gone nationwide. A man approached us stating he had been thinking of us and our son for two and half years. It was the father of the Marine who wrote the letter. After tears and hugs, we talked about our sons.
It continually amazes me how many are touched by Curtis. He was an ordinary kid never wanting to be in the spotlight, he would have hated the attention paid. I am thankful that so many think of him, the fact that he will not be forgotten helps us to continue on.
Shortly after Curtis was killed we were sent a copy of an e-mail written by an officer who had witnessed this for the first time. He told of how powerful this experience was. He later was told that one of the fallen that day was a fellow Marine from his home state, Minnesota. His father sent us the e-mail because his son was part of Curtis' journey home.
Last week while on the TTTT ride one of our stops was the Tee it up for the Troops event in Mendakota. It is the original tournament that has gone nationwide. A man approached us stating he had been thinking of us and our son for two and half years. It was the father of the Marine who wrote the letter. After tears and hugs, we talked about our sons.
It continually amazes me how many are touched by Curtis. He was an ordinary kid never wanting to be in the spotlight, he would have hated the attention paid. I am thankful that so many think of him, the fact that he will not be forgotten helps us to continue on.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Two Pins
Dave and I have just returned from the weekend we have looked forward to all year. Tribute to the Troops riders visited seven Gold Star families across Minnesota. Although this weekend is full of emotion, not all of it is bad. The support and love we give and receive goes a long way in our healing.
It was only two years ago this great group came into our lives, standing on our front lawn, proclaiming, "We will never forget Curtis." They keep that promise to us and to all the families they have touched. This year, we visited a family on the same block we live on. How strange that two visits not only in one city, but on the very same street. As I was packing for the trip, I wanted to place our Honor and Remember flag on our front window so that the riders who found the neighborhood familiar could pick out our home.
Backing up a few weeks, I need to explain that I had finally decided to go through some of Curtis' things. For some reason the time felt right and I found it actually very pleasant. Many of the things were organized before he moved out of the house, and the remaining items were things he could have used when he was ready. It brought back memories of the pack rat collector he was, who needs a gallon size bag of rubber bands?
So I was looking for the flag, and in the drawer I found two pins I had not given any thought to when I found them among the scads of trinkets in Curtis' stash. Two eagle pins. One larger and more masculine looking, and the other half the size and dainty. It's as if they were meant for Dave and I to wear on this years ride, he would be with us.
Unfortunately mine broke as I tried to place it on the heavy leather. Of course I was initially disappointed, but whenever I saw Dave's pin throughout the weekend I thought of mine in my pocket. There is no need to stay upset over such trivial things. Curtis was with us.
It was only two years ago this great group came into our lives, standing on our front lawn, proclaiming, "We will never forget Curtis." They keep that promise to us and to all the families they have touched. This year, we visited a family on the same block we live on. How strange that two visits not only in one city, but on the very same street. As I was packing for the trip, I wanted to place our Honor and Remember flag on our front window so that the riders who found the neighborhood familiar could pick out our home.
Backing up a few weeks, I need to explain that I had finally decided to go through some of Curtis' things. For some reason the time felt right and I found it actually very pleasant. Many of the things were organized before he moved out of the house, and the remaining items were things he could have used when he was ready. It brought back memories of the pack rat collector he was, who needs a gallon size bag of rubber bands?
So I was looking for the flag, and in the drawer I found two pins I had not given any thought to when I found them among the scads of trinkets in Curtis' stash. Two eagle pins. One larger and more masculine looking, and the other half the size and dainty. It's as if they were meant for Dave and I to wear on this years ride, he would be with us.
Unfortunately mine broke as I tried to place it on the heavy leather. Of course I was initially disappointed, but whenever I saw Dave's pin throughout the weekend I thought of mine in my pocket. There is no need to stay upset over such trivial things. Curtis was with us.
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