Memorial Day, Some Specs and a Funeral

North Miami Beach, FL May 27, 2002
A.H. Schectman

THINKING ALLOWED

Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published now and
then. Opinions pro or con are welcome.

MEMORIAL DAY, SOME SPECS AND A FUNERAL

I am one of those veterans who do not have horrible memories about
battle in war. I mostly was scared of the army, not of the enemy. Anyway,
it was over much too soon for me to see actual battle. My specs, my
eyeglasses, were the cause of this. I have kept them to this day. And,
yesterday Carol and I participated in the spirit of Memorial Day by going to
a funeral.

The lady who died or "passed over" or who "went to her just
reward" was 81. Carol points out that she is just five years younger than
Pearl Berlin whom we knew in passing and just said hello to on occasion. Her
sons and wives, a sister and five friends from our condominium were in
attendance. The service was overseen by an unaffiliated Rabbi who takes care
of unaffiliated persons' needs in life-cycle events - or, in this instance,
in the end of life event of Pearl Berlin.

But, this is Memorial Day and, to some extent, the celebration of
life and by extension, my life. The terrible thing about my participation in
World War II was being in the Army. The saving grace was that I was saved
because some dozing clerk forgot to issue the command for me to get a pair
of Army glasses. So, I was kept behind while my unit was pulled out early
and was sent to die in the Battle of the Bulge. I am grateful for the
experience of being in the force sent to Europe to end the totalitarian Nazi
regime. I am grateful that my services were not needed in the Asian Theater
of War since that was winding down and we had gotten the use of nuclear
power first. I am grateful for all those soldier's lives that were lain
down in the service of not only our country but in the vain hope that we
would bring back the Europe and the world that still lies in fond memories
of languages, quaint costumes and landmarks obliterated by the guns of war.

Going to a funeral is perhaps a better reminder of the purpose of
Memorial Day that memorializes all the dead gone by in wars past. They
passed over to a place each of whom thought as a special place rewarding
them for the time spent with us. Each of us has that knowledge implanted in
us. One day we will go to our "just reward". I hope this is true.

Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10