This fourth code, "do what has to be done," seems fitting given this is Memorial Day weekend. Everyday there are so many families and friends of those who serve in the military that have to do what has to be done. They say goodbye. They say goodbye to their brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, cousins, friends, mothers, and fathers who are being shipped away, either to bases all over the nation or to wars half a world a way. They say goodbye, wait, and hope they will see their loved ones again.
Seven years ago I was one of the ones who had to say goodbye, and it was one of the hardest times of my life. I waited for a year for my husband to return home from Korea.
I was one of the lucky ones, too. I got to go over and visit him for two weeks. He was "only" gone a year. At the time Korea was a fairly stable area. I had no children to worry about, only myself. I had a steady career, a home, a reliable vehicle and a friend of mine and I went to London the same year. Comparitively I had it easy, as far as deployments go.
I can't imagine having to say goodbye to the mother or father of your children and know that they are going to a war zone for an indeterminate amount of time. I admire them so much.
I admire them because they do what has to be done.
My ancestors knew the meaning of this code. They did what had to be done and survived. My 3rd great grandfather was a sergeant in for the Union in the Civil War. My grandfather fought in both WWII and the Korean War.
This Memorial Day, I hope everyone is thankful for not only those who did what had to be done in the past, but for those families who do what needs to be done every single day in this country, no matter how much their hearts are breaking or how hard it is to say goodbye.
You certainly have my everlasting admiration and gratitude. To those families: thank you.
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