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When I was in Vietnam, I was unloading cargo planes that came from the USA, (it takes a whole lotta guys not in uniform to support each one who does), and I used to try to distract myself from where I was by trying to imagine being in the factory where the stuff was made. There is no shame in not being a soldier, only in running away when called to serve in times of crisis.

I would agree...I never served. Growing up under the Jimmy Carter failure there was no way I considered serving under his leadership, and now I wish I had.

In many ways I think it makes me appreciate our veterans much more; knowing they were willing to sacrifice what I never did.

In a strange sort of irony I try and make up for it now as best I can(going to the same Memorial Day ceremony in my hometown every Memorial Day, saying "F-U" to Paris in July of 2000 on the last day of my honeymoon and instead of sightseeing in the city on what was our only day in that God-forsaken nation, touring the D-Day Beaches to pay homage to our boys), standing on Broadway in NYC May of 1986 watching a belated ticker tape parade for our Vietnam Vets and as a 22-year about to graduat college doing my best not to cry out loud.

One of the most profound experiences ever was spending Memorial Day weekend back in 1998 in our Nation's capital. It was so emotional for me and my girlfriend (now my wife). Seeing, hearing and feeling Rolling Thunder, taking in the sights, visiting Arlington Cementary on Memorial Day morining and going to the Vietnam Wall on three different occasions.

The highlight, and I knew it would be, was sitting on the lawn of the Capitol for the National Memorial Day Concert. It's on PBS tomorrow at 8PM and highly reccomended; I've yet to miss one but being there live was really special!

Dear Sir:

Why do you think that you didn't serve? My father was a United States Merchant Marine, an oiler/wiper whose Liberty Ship, Geo. S Wasson, was mined and sunk off the coast of Wales on Jan 31, 1944. My father was 17 yrs. old on that day. The USMM has never been acknowledged for it's service.
To clarify, I will tell you that when he died in 1976 there was no flag allowed on his casket. That changed in 1991, I believe. The KIA ratio for a USMM was double that for a GI. The first and last deaths of WWII were Merchant Marines. The Academy at Kingspoint, NY, is the only service academy to carry a battle standard.

Please don't think that you didn't "really" serve, I think of the Murmansk Run when I hear that phrase...