Memorial Day

The True Definition of Barbeque Day AKA

MEMORIAL DAY

By W.E.Brower Jr.


On June 6, 1944 Tank Commander John L. Dudley III took part in the invasion of
Normandy. As he directed his men over the shores further inland, they
Approached a bridge. On their attempt at crossing the vehicle was hit by a
Barrage of artillery. Dudley was thrown from his position by the shockwave
Which cost him his hearing and the lives of his men.

Half a world away, Jerome Kaczoroski with his buddies Flip and Tom were busy
In the Merchant Marines bouncing around places with exotic names like
Guadalcanal. Before the end of the war, Tom would be listed KIA. Before
Returning home, “Trigger-happy Harry” Kaczorowski as he was known by Flip
And other crew mates would take a photo showing a group of people in cloth
Masks standing behind burned wreckage that was once a building, the photo was
Taken in the village called Nagasaki only a few days after the A-bomb was
Dropped.

Growing up hearing these stories from both my Great Uncle and Grandfather
Were interesting to me. Uncle Johnny as I used to call him would let me use
His field glasses that he was holding when the tank exploded. I used to gaze
Out his balcony at Pompano Beach listening to him talk about another shoreline
Long ago. Granddad would always be watching “Victory at Sea” waiting for the
Grandkids to sit for a front row back story about all the great battleships that
Served in the Allied Fleets. Each Memorial Day both of them would give a toast
To their fallen comrades and continue telling their tales and adventures during
The Second World War.

Today it’s a different story though, I inherited Uncle Johnny’s glasses, medals
And captured Nazi relics. My grandmother gave me the boxed set of “Victory at
Sea” which was heavily used after Granddad passed away. Their stories like the
Events themselves are now part of the past.

For some people, Memorial Day means barbeques, paid holiday, last minute
“One day only!” sales for furniture and new cars. The origins of this day are
Starting to fade into obscurity. With the conflicts still ongoing in the Middle
East among other places, I challenge you the reader to do something quite simple
This year. We have a large number of service men and women “Active” and
“Retired” residing around us. Should you see one during the course of the day,
I suggest you stop and say two words that are barely used these days….
THANK YOU.