Thank You, Daddy

Veteran’s Day 2009

Dear Daddy,

I’m guessing today may be a difficult day for you.  Your mind is probably flooded with memories—faces, names, places—people that I’ll never meet, names I’ll never know and places I’ll never see…

Standing in the darkness of evening, I approached The Three Soldiers.  Naturally, my eyes fell on the wall. The sight their eyes are forever fixed upon.  My heart sank and I was overwhelmed with deep sadness.  It was quiet and calm there—somber.  I sat down for a moment, crying and trying to catch my breath.  It was as if I was overcome by memories that were not my own. 

Eventually, I made my way towards the wall.  It was beautiful, but I felt horrible thinking that.  How could a memorial with names of thousands of dead soldiers be beautiful?  I imagined these soldiers all around me and the spirits of the memories.  So many lives represented there- directly and indirectly.  I wondered what names you would recognize and how many you knew.  How that must pain your heart to remember.  I hesitated to touch the wall, but I reached out for one brush against the cool, black granite.  In that moment, I felt connected to you in a way I had never felt before.  I leaned in close to the wall and breathed an almost inaudible whisper into the ears of the soldiers, “you have not been forgotten- thank you.” 

Daddy, you served your country well and I'll be forever proud.  You did what your country asked of you and there is great honor in that.   I don’t know how you feel or what you think, I simply have a vivid imagination.  But I know there is great sadness in your eyes when you talk about Vietnam.  I don’t know much about your experience there.  You’ve told me to ask, but I hesitate for I don’t want to unhinge memories that are better left quiet and still. 

I remember wanting so desperately to enlist in the Army or even the Marines—anything to make you proud and follow in your footsteps of service to our country.  But you sternly refused and gently encouraged me in other directions.  I remember you telling me through laughter, “you’ll mouth off to the wrong person and get in a lot of trouble!”  (The same reasons you encouraged me NOT to pursue a career as a server at a restaurant.  You had visions of me pouring drinks in laps of incredibly rude customers!)  You were definitely right.  I didn’t have it in me to be a soldier—or a waitress.

Daddy, I love you and I’m proud of you.   When you think that no one remembers, know that I do.  And while my memories are very different from yours, I’m so grateful that you and so many men and women have sacrificed much for my freedom.  

I Love You,

Melissa Gail