Memorial Day

Today is the day we celebrate those Americans who have served in our nation's armed services. I am so proud of my grandfather, Eugene Doepp. He was one of these brave men. I am also proud of my uncles, William  and James Doepp, and although they did not go to war, they did serve and were prepared to go if our country had needed them.
My wonderful father in law Samuel also served in the US Air Corps during WWII, one of his happiest experiences was serving breakfast to General Dwight D Eisenhower.
While I was in high school we were at war, a police action it was called, in Viet Nam. I knew young men who went away, but never returned. I met a young marine who was afraid. He had seen the horrors of war and did not want to go back there.
After high school I enlisted in the US Air Force, this was where I met my husband. Two of his three brothers also served in the Air Force. I enjoyed the military life, but opted for early discharge after our marriage, since he had already served his time and was returning to civilian life.
During my short time in the service, I didn't do any thing special. I was in training and technical school for most of that time. But while I was assigned to my permanent duty station at Randolph AFB near San Antonio, Texas I worked as a switchboard operator in the communications squadron.  I spent a great deal of time working the late night shift with only one or two other women, usually civilian employees.
Many nights we took calls from GIs calling from Viet Nam trying to get a call through to a wife or other loved one. I remember several of those calls, where the poor guy would get cut off, or get a busy signal just  before getting connected to home. We usually stayed on the line with them until we were certain they had made contact, many times re- routing through different bases and operators to make sure they could talk to a familiar voice. This was not considered official business, but I somehow think this was pretty important business to these young men, and to their families.
I am grateful to the men and women who have made tremendous personal sacrifices through out our nation's history to preserve our constitution and our freedom.
Thank you to all who have served and are serving, please know that we appreciate your service. Thank you for our enduring freedom. And thank you to those who will take up the standard and bear it forward into the future.
It is a wonderful legacy