Memorial Day: Thank You

As a Veteran of the United States Army, the biological child of two Veterans of the United States Navy and the former fiance of a deceased Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Memorial Day is special to me.

I could tell you about my enlistment. I could tell you about being the child of a Naval officer and how many times we moved when I was growing up, the places I've lived and seen.

But I won't.

Because sometimes all you can say is thank you. And that's what today is about. Just saying thank you. To the veterans that I see every time I go to the VA hospital here in Buffalo. To the soldiers and sailors and airmen who gave their lives for my freedom. To the servicemen and servicewomen who enlisted even during a time of war, thinking it not void to do so. To those who sacrificed. To the family members of those who served who lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, partners, cousins, friends, sons, daughters, grandchildren...thank you.

Thank you for your service to this country. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights.

Thank you to those who survived.

Thank you to those who fought to survive and lost the battle.

Thank you to those who served.


From a fellow serviceman,

-Vicktor Aleksandr B