Remember: Land of the Free because of the Brave...

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 Patriotism, much diminished in this millennium, flourished on military posts on which I had the good fortune to grow into a man.

Sadly, the rural North Carolina love of country that so influenced my youth has been replaced to a large degree by the tenets of the Prince of Persia acolytes.

Gone are days of the Pledge of Allegiance and Bible verses.

But not then; Sunday School, my parents and my first grade in Kinston, NC provided the foundation for Duty, Honor and Country.

The Stars and Stripes in parades stirred  deep-seated emotions.

Little did I know that the Colors would be such a large part of my collegiate life...

... as commander of the UTC ROTC Color Guard.

 The USS Arizona Memorial elicited a deep somberness in me.

Further, I experienced a sadness for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

Perhaps the osmotic effect of my immersion in a military environment, coupled with my being at Pearl Harbor, made me suddenly realize

 my father could be remembered in a future Memorial Day remembrance...

He was, after all, an 

Eleven Bravo Infantryman.

And on the cusp of his completion of Jungle Warfare Special Operations training.

 Those flag placements in seemingly unending rows of our Heroes inspired this lad...

The young stud buck sergeant, who eschewed astronaut training and a chance to be the first man on the moon in order to provide more impact for the Army, was, indeed, rewarded.

My father's military aspirations, rewarded after years of training: 

"Being a drill sergeant is one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in our Army, but it is also one of the most rewarding. A drill sergeant is a symbol of excellence in initial entry training, an expert in all warrior tasks and battle drills, lives the Army values, exemplifies the Warrior Ethos, and most importantly, is the epitome of the Army as a profession.

As a drill sergeant you are responsible for coaching, counseling and mentoring hundreds, if not thousands, of trainees as you transform them from a civilian volunteer to a combat-ready Soldier.

 You are all that your Soldiers know of the Army and they emulate everything you do. Just as you will always remember your drill sergeant, so will your Soldiers.

 It is up to you to provide a positive and rewarding experience as these young Soldiers begin their journey in the Army. What you do for them will impact them for the rest of their lives."

 The anguish in this remarkable Army Mama Bear is an often repeated story suffered by military families.

The bond that exists between combat soldiers is immeasurable.

As a consequence, Memorial Day has deepened my father's appreciation for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

His combat experiences in Vietnam elicit soulful reflections on his friends and foxhole buddies who did not survive, defending people they didn't even know.

Tens of thousands suffered that fate, called by God for His army of warriors...

I have thanked God for more than a half century that He spared my father's life, hearing the prayers of Momma Bear, my angelic Mother.

"And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield."

Full Chinese, NVA and Viet Cong assault, initiating Tet on SSG Daw's 

FOB...

The Sergeant Major still has a deep-seated measure of guilt, despite saving dozens of lives as he provided egress for his ARVN and fellow Army soldiers.

 My father was on a mission to do all he could to provide memories of her Manly Man husband and his heroics as a brave infantryman.

My father's best friend, a fellow Drill Sergeant, literally saved Staff Sergeant Ted Daw's life by giving his own.

Above all, he wanted his widow to truly understand his bravery, reflecting values that would be told for years to come at their family remembrances of this Jungle Warfare Special Operator.  

Anopheles as the vector for 

Staff Sergeant Daw was acutely ill, with only an initial dose of quinine administered.

A high fever, chills, severe nausea and vomiting relegated SSG Daw to a cot in the Malaria Tent.

Protesting that he had a Search and Destroy mission to conduct, he was countermanded by his closest friend...

Stressing that continued rest would ensure recovery from a potentially lethal disease, this brave warrior took the mission himself.

Survivors of this ambush related how devastating to the VC their platoon leader was, before falling under heavy enemy fire...

Staff Sergeant Daw carefully and colorfully related many of the heroic exploits of his best friend, as Mother, Denise and I were mesmerized... 

This man was, indeed, an incredible individual.

 The Sergeant Major, as a Christian, is certain he will be reunited with his brothers in arms...