[USS Alaska]

When I was stationed in Germany in 60-61, one of my fellow medics was an ex-tail gunner from WWII, that was discharged after the war but re-upped in the Army as a medic in Korea. What he saw there, he told me, was worse than WW II, but since his plane had never been seriously hit, it's hard to compare.

He had made E-6 but had so many mental {that he tried to solve by drinking} issues, that he had been busted back to E-2 several times.

He was a Spec 4 when I met him and was trying to stay in until 1966 for his 20 years.

On the way back to the States in 1962, he re-upped {again} for a $1,500 bonus to go to Viet Nam as a "technical advisor".

I have prayed for him and all Viet Nam Vets ever since.

Memorial Day is to remember those that gave their lives but there are many that gave more than their lives, including limbs and their sanity.

The ghosts of war are devastating, and some of these living vets have mental and physical agony that put them into a place worse than death.

I haven't had an American flag fly at my house since 01/01/2021 until today, but it will come down at dusk on 05/31/2021.

The American flags flew at my home for over 40 years until recent events.

SAD.

[Defiant]

I took mine down on January 20. I thought about flying it upside down, but in the end just brought it in. The country it represents no longer exists, although it could possibly be restored.