Memorial Day 2017

Today, I remember my mother’s favorite cousin and his best friend, whom my mother would probably have married if things are gone differently. They lie entombed on the Arizona.

I remember high school classmates who served in Viet Nam and died there.

I remember my first friend in college, who chose to be drafted rather admit to his family that he was gay. He, too, died in Viet Nam.

I remember all those, from all the wars, who came back broken so completely that suicide was the only path they could see.

I remember them, and I honor them in the memory.