Memorial Day and Uncle Louie.

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My late Uncle Louie and I had birthdays close to each others. His was May 29. Mine May 31. Quite ofter there would be a party at Louie's beach house either on the 29th or the 31st. Never the 30th.

Our town always had a parade and other memorial Day activities. Fireworks included. The whole town would attend on the 30th. The whole town except Louie. He couldn't and wouldn't participate. He'd stay home and watch the Red Sox game or work in his yard. Alone.

Louie was a Marine. Joined in 1942 and did the whole island hopping campaign during WWII. He spent months on Iwo Jima and witness some of the most brutal carnage the world has ever seen. He HATED war even though he supported the US in Viet Nam for a while there. But he NEVER talked about it. Never displayed a flag at his home, although he loved his country. The 30th (true Memorial Day), was his day alone. His day to remember and forget all that he experienced. You never saw him out on the 30th.

We kids would ask him questions about the war, like kids do. I asked him if he ever killed anybody. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes and said "I dint know. I just hope I didn't accidentally kill one our own guys". And then he'd change the subject. We wanted the gory details and Uncle Louie wasn't giving them up.

Louie often downplayed his role in the war effort. Telling people that he was just doing his job, and thats about all he would speak of it.

Louie died in 2000 at the age of 85. When my cousin, his daughter was cleaning out his house she found a box in a drawer. In this box was Louie's separation papers from the USMC. And... three medals. The Distinguished Navy Cross, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star. He NEVER told anyone, even his kids, about these medals for heroism.

There may not be much of a point to this story but when Memorial Day comes around I always think of Uncle Louie. A true hero and Patriot who never wore it on his sleeve, and took one day a year to be alone to remember and forget.

Louis Bruno 1915 - 2000