Hey Vern!

[Uben]

Memorial Day always makes me remember those who lost their lives so that I might enjoy the freedoms of America, but I it also brings memories of those who served and survived. I have a son who is attending summer camp for the AF reserve in Alaska for the next two weeks. He did two tours of duty, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

Today, I think of Vern, a friend and veteran who served in the United States Navy back in the late forties and early fifties. At his funeral two years ago, his son related a story Vern had not mentioned to me. Vern was an avid poker player, and sailors often played poker while at sea. On this one occasion, Vern had cleaned everyone's plow in the poker game while en route to Japan. So much so, that very few of his buddies had any money when they hit port. Not Vern, he had loads of it! But, he didn't go out and whoop it up alone. He rented an entire floor at a hotel for his buddies, and treated them all that weekend! That's the kind of guy he was. So, although Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to our fallen soldiers, it's also a time to remember those who served and made it back. I salute them all!

[SpiralHawk]

1. "R.I.P. Vern" - Ernest P. Worrell

[lonestarnot]

2. K & R Vern!