Guentzel.Org

Memorial Day isn’t typically something you precede with “Happy” when your talking to someone (or writing a blog post) given it’s serious origins.  This holiday began as “Decoration Day” just after the Civil War to honor soldiers that lost their lives in service to their country.  It originally was intended for those who served in the Civil War, but later was expanded to pertain to any fallen soldier in any war.

My family isn’t what you’d call a big military family for various reasons.  Dad worked for a defense contractor during Vietnam.  His father was the postmaster in Coupland while my other grandfather tried to enlist with two separate branches of the service for World War II (he was rejected by the Army and the Navy for different reasons).

However, there is a relative of mine on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, my great uncles served in World War II and when you go back to the 1800s, there were several relatives that served.  My great-great-grandfather on my mother’s side served in the Civil War but was murdered shortly afterward when (according to the story) he left with some soldiers that convinced him the war started up again.

We’ve got the day off.  The kids are glad there’s no school.  Susan and I hope to get a few things done around the house with our day off.  A typical American family holiday.

But we remember.