What can I say to you to let you know that I could never understand the heartache and pain you suffered for me? The hours, days and weeks you lingered in desolate places that I might live free. The absence of family, the wonderings in your mind if their lives are better than yours at any given moment

What could I show you that would let you know that I truly appreciate the fact that all you have done for me and my family can never be re-paid in this lifetime or in any lifetime to come?

How can I express to you the heartache and hurt I feel for you when you are talked about or scorned by your fellow mankind when they learn of your services to this country? The conversations behind your back and the quiet whispers of those who were too yellow to step up to the plate and serve like you did.

How can I return the favor to you for the things you did? What earthly possession could I bestow upon you to bring you back to the place you should be financially in this world? You gave of yourself and in your giving you were set behind those of us who had the privilege of staying stateside and earned a living for our families while you wondered sometimes where your next meal may come from, a privilege given to us by your sacrifice.

Can I ever understand the tears of missed happiness in your life? The first baby born, the first step, the first smile, the first tooth. Maybe it was the first grade, or their wedding days, were all missed because you gave of yourself. The forgotten family members that you will never see again because they passed this life while you were away.

The death or sickness of your family, a burial of maybe your parents or grandparents can never be restored to a place to allow you to properly grieve of their passing while you were away.

Where could I take you to show you things any worse than you may have already seen? The heartache and despair of those around you could never be explained in great enough detail for me to understand because I was not there. The sickness, the poverty, the dead and the dying and those you had to kill or be killed could never be brought to my understanding.

What items from my world can I hand you that you that would take away those memories of things you lost or were taken while you were gone? That old truck that was sitting in your daddy’s pasture was torn up by some kids as you dreamed of restoring it someday, but those dreams were shattered. That ideal fishing spot that you used to enjoy is now a mall. What can I give you in return?

Who can I talk to on your behalf to help you restore lost friendships and lost loves when you left? Your leaving left a hole in many hearts and those that you considered your friends looked at you so differently when you returned because of your beliefs and values.

What can I say or what can I do on this one day per year that we try in our own feeble way to honor you? The politicians that disrespect your very existence slather themselves in such pious pomp on this holiday. How can I help you overcome your feelings while they wallow in their self indulgences into their own gatherings of greed simply to be re-elected again?

What can I say, what can I do, how can I help? How can I express myself on this day when I know you can’t hear me nor respond? All I have to provide you this Memorial Day is my heartfelt “Thanks” to each and every one of your family members for your service to this, the greatest country in the world.

I pray this Memorial Day as you sit in your special place in Heaven that my feeble ramblings can provide you the respect you so deeply deserve.

To Our Nation’s Soldiers!

Clifford

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