Yes, Roger, very nicely done! Although I never went to the Nam, I was stationed in Seoul, ROK 69 to 70. I saw many of my friends go to Viet Nam and many did not return. Three of them childhood buddies from right here at home. That is why I too feel that Memorial Day is a special day for all of us.

My Civil War Artillery unit will be taking part in two ceremonies this weekend, on Sunday, a modern day rededication of the Veterans section of a local cemetery and on Monday we will be doing our annual Memorial Day ceremony at the graveside of Captain John Chase of the 5th Maine Battery. Captain Chase is a Civil War Medal of Honor winner. This ceremony is done in accordance with protocol of the period, and finishes up with a listing of all the veterans buried in that cemetery, as well as the living veterans taking part in the service. The second ceremony is my favorite. Since our unit portrays an artillery unit we feel that firing the final salute (cannon) is very appropriate and quite an honor as well. The Sunday ceremony we will be doing as the Rockbridge Artillery, D Battery, Rockbridge County, Viriginia, CSA and Monday's we will see duty as the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, D Battery, USA.

I also invite the local JROTC group that I work with to attend. It gives them a feel for the importance of Memorial Day and the importance of carrying on the military traditions. It is also encouraging to some of the older Veterans to see the yougsters learning to "carry on".

Thanks Roger, for reminding us all that this holiday is more than just another reason to go to the beach!