The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

This Memorial Day week reminds me of Memorial Day's most powerful lesson learned.

I was in Washington DC making the rounds of all the memorials. There is very little talking while you soberly view each monument. My father was in the Navy and served during the Korean War. It was important to me to see the Korean War Memorial. I walked slowly, quietly, thinking of my father and his experience. His job was to watch where the bombs landed. So he saw women and children, besides soldiers, being torn to pieces. He didn't like to talk about it. I stood still there for several minutes when I noticed a Korean family approach the front. They helped an elderly gentleman stand at the front while slowly backing away with their heads bowed. He stood there and slowly started to cry. He cried loudly; everyone there could hear him. And then he yelled "Thank You! Thank You!" repeatedly. Those of us at the sides started to weep. No one walked away in humble response to the gentle elder man. He started to sway, and his family moved forward to help steady him. The rest of us stood quietly and watched them leave.

Much has been given!