Thelma's Memorial Day Thoughts on Grandpa 5/28/06

May 30, 2006: This is the the first Memorial Day in my memory that Dad will not be here to celebrate his birthday. He is now among those many remembered for their sacrifices to make our great country free.

I am reminded of the hymn No. 337 �It may not be my part in the front ranks of battle to fight, but unhonored, unknown .... I will stand at my post where he needeth me most.� I believe we can all say that Dad (Grandpa) stood at his post. The constancy and consistency of his service has been emphasized by all who remember him. The revised hymn words this a bit differently, but the older version seems to say this thought best.

He, too, did his part in World War II, in those cold regions of Alaska, building shelters and bridges for our american servicemen--and he volunteered to do it--with a wife and two small children at home! He had many good excuses to not perform that service!

A popular song in the early 1960�s has been on my mind (sung by Eddie Fisher): �Oh, My PaPa�. The words best express my thoughts at this time:

Oh, my PaPa, to me you are so wonderful.
To me he was so good.
No one could be so gentle and so lovable.
Oh, my PaPa, he always understood.
So funny, so adorable, always the clown, so funny in his way.
Gone are the days when he would take me on his knee and with a smile, he�d change my tears to laughter.
Oh, my PaPa, deep in my heart I miss you so today.

We all know Grandpa had difficult parts of his personality, also; but this song best sums up the good thoughts I remember about him on this Memorial Day. Lovingly, his daughter, Thelma Burgess Hennen (also see memorial to Grandma Mary Burgess)

Honor

Honor. Duty. Respect. Sacrifice. Everybody likes the books and movies that portray these things. But few people today live them. We've become a nation of softies, hypocrites, and entitlement thinkers.
Grandpa lived and taught us to live in a way that honors God, country, and our family name. He helped me understand that duty is more important than serving yourself. Respect is to be given without cynicism and we're all responsible to sacrifice for the greater good. Whether to make a better home life or a stronger nation, the principals remain.
When raising my song of thanksgiving to my maker I appreciate these foundational principals. I'm glad that every time I see our flag honored, hear our national anthem, or reach out to thank a soldier returning from war, the emotions well up inside of me. I appreciate that I've learned to love the feeling of fatigue when it's the result of giving your all in worthwhile efforts. And I am thankful for all who have gone before and fought the battles that allow me the liberties I enjoy. These battles have been fought by those in military uniform, those on their knees in prayer, and those who make choices to keep our family name good.
I wish for you a Memorial Day filled with humility and thankfulness.