Rudy
I don't know how to say what I feel so this might ramble a bit.
Two years ago my wife and I were traveling through Belgium. We saw a small plaque on a cement post on the side of the roadway. As we drove past we noticed an American flag on it. We turned around and read about some battles that had happened in the area back in WWI. At the bottom it mentioned a cemetary a few miles away for the American Soldiers that had lost their lives in these battles.
http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ff.php
Neither my wife nor I had an ancestor serve during WWI, but we were compelled to stop and pay our respects. We were there for about two hours and we were moved. Up to that point in my life I have never cried as hard as I did that day.
While traveling in Europe again this summer we received word that my Mom had lost her two year battle with Cancer. Her lung collapsed, she contracted pneumonia and died within 24 hours. It was the worst day of my life. I was isolated and I felt a million miles from home and family, and there was nothing anyone could do to help. I have never cried as hard as I did that day.
I'm 46 and never served in the military (my generation didn't have a war), but it didn't stop me from respecting those who did. I've been registered here for some time, but I don't think I've been to the forum before...heck I think this might be my first post.
I just completed reading through this topic. I have never cried as hard I did just now.
I sleep in comfort and warmth provided by men and women such as your son. I am sorry for your sacrifice, but it lives not in vane. Let's hope that Lincoln's word will also ring true for our current heroes
..."The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here"
I run cars on the West Coast with an Historic NASCAR group.
http://www.HSCRS.com We do a race each season called The Fallen Heroes Invitational. Each of us has an opportunity if we'd like to stand at the awards ceremony at the end of the weekend and mention a name and a bit about the person. With your permission I'd like to mention Jay's name.
Jon Jordan