veterans | D. Brent Miller

Lately, I have been bombarded from all sides with stories and issues for and about our veterans. Have you ever had one of those experiences where something just keeps coming up and you wonder why? Like God keeps kicking you in the butt, and you keep turning around to see what it was? And, you go kicking and screaming, digging in your heels trying to avoid it?

That’s what’s been happening to me lately. I told this story to a new acquaintance recently, someone who works with veterans.

Maybe we should call it synchronicity.

Today, I watched a documentary film, sent to me by this new friend, who is also one of the producers. This film is still moving through my mind and I am processing it. Oh, it’s not a hard film to understand. It’s just one powerful movie. Here’s what I wrote to him.

Bill, I watched your documentary this afternoon on my computer with a set of headphones on. I expected something very moving. I did not expect powerful. I had to pause a couple of times to collect myself. I think the scene that really got to me was Bob telling his story about Vietnam and then he ended … “I came home without a scratch.” Many of us, many of our veterans, our warriors have come home without visible scratches, but carry deep emotional wounds that very few will ever know.

I am going to write about this, perhaps a review, which means I will want to call and talk with you more—an interview.

I will be in touch.–Brent

I plan to follow up on this, and write a review, because if you get a chance to see this movie, this documentary film about warriors returning home, you must go see it.

I’m not giving away any details right now. I’ll be in touch.

Brent

The first known observance of Memorial Day was in 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. Originally known as Decoration Day, it became better known as Memorial Day, but did not become a national holiday until 1967 by an act of Congress, and then officially as one of the four three-day national holiday weekends in 1968.

Memorial-Day-4 — Ichabod Corwin was the first settler in the area to become known as Lebanon. He served in the War of 1812.

Traditionally, Memorial Day is an observance of those who have given their lives in military service for the country. But, its usage has evolved into memorial for all who have passed on with individuals and families visiting the graves of family members.

After all the Memorial Day parades and ceremonies, I ventured forth to look for graves of veterans. I started in Lebanon, Ohio, at the oldest cemetery in town. It is about the size of one small city block.

I expected to find graves of Civil War soldiers, but was quite surprised to find soldiers who served in wars 50 years before the Civil War—soldiers from the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, 1846-48.

Memorial-Day-7 — John Conrey, veteran of War of 1812. Died in 1864.

As this cemetery began to fill, the city obtained ground to the north that expanded the cemetery well into the future. As cemeteries go, it is more modern looking and well kept. Clearly, it has been well visited on Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial-Day-9 — Lebanon Cemetery gravesite decorations.

From Lebanon, I motorcycled through the countryside, first north and then east towards Waynesville and the village of Corwin, where my ride would turn south towards home. In Corwin, I decided to ride through Miami Cemetery, which is deceivingly large and very park like. At the northern entrance, I found the cemetery memorial and gravesites of soldiers, all veterans of all wars.

Memorial-Day-10 — Miami Cemetery, Corwin, Ohio. Gravesite for All Veterans and contains the ramains of soldiers from WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars.

Thank you, brothers in arms. You served well and are not forgotten.

For my readers, see you on the highway.

Brent

Tag: veterans

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