Memorial Day Message
Posted by Holly in Interesting
Memorial Day, May 25, 2009.
Today is a day full of thoughts and reflections on fallen soldiers from the past. Many of us know someone who has lost his/her life due to the war. It’s not an easy time…it’s one that brings back a lot of memories for some people. I found the Memorial Day youtube video (below) and as I watched it, I felt a lot of emotions as memories flooded through my mind.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP28
I think Memorial Day should not only be about the fallen soldiers, but also about the civilian contractors who lost their lives in their support efforts during the war(s).
I was a civilian contractor for 6 months – just 6 months after the war in Iraq started. I worked in Baghdad, Airport. My close friend’s father, Vernon Gaston, helped me get the job. He headed out to Baghdad a month before I was scheduled to leave and head out there. I had to complete training and preparation classes in Houston, Texas before I took my big flight out to Kuwait, and then to Baghdad.
As I was in-processing in Houston, a week or two before I was scheduled to fly out – I received a phone call that changed my life, and the lives of many others. Vernon was killed by a sniper in Baghdad. I felt numb and a lot of other emotions as I sat there in Houston, readying for my flight and carrying with me a card and present for Vernon’s birthday which was September 1st (same as mine). He was killed on September 3rd. Many of the civilians who Vernon had hired, decided not to go and work there when they heard the very sad news of his death. I felt so upset and saddened, as Vernon had such a positive influence on me. I decided not to quit, but to head out there and do my job anyway. It was the hardest decision for me.
I was deeply affected by his death and can only look forward to seeing him again someday after my life here is over. After working in Baghdad airport for a month, a co-worker asked me to walk with him because he had to show me something. I went with him and he took me out to where one of the big mail trucks were parked. These trucks transported the mail from all over the world, to the soldiers stationed around Iraq. The truck left daily to the bases, and the job of the truck driver is one of the most dangerous jobs for civilians in Iraq. On the side of the back of the truck, through the thick dust and dirt built up, my friend showed me something that I would never have expected in a million years. Vernon, prior to his death, wrote with his finger, through the dust, “Vernon Was Here,” and it was still there after traveling all over Iraq. I took a photo of it, to send to Vernon’s family and to save the memory of him. I stayed there in Baghdad for about 6 months. The lives of the soldiers and civilians there are unstable and full of danger. Today is a day to think of them and remember the lives of the servicemembers who lost their lives in duty of serving our country.
For a full list of the casualties of this war in Iraq, please visit this website.
17 Responses to “Memorial Day Message”
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TheDavinator
25. May, 2009
Wow, that was very touching Holly. It never ceases to amaze me the courage and bravery people must have to muster up in times of war. It’s also very sad, that so many people are lost because of it. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand that part of mankind….war..and killing each other I mean.
I’m sorry to hear of your loss years ago. That must have been very hard. Although, not Memorial Day in Canada, as allies to the US…we also never forget the bravery and courage of our closest neighbor. We are thankful to have you there…
Thanx Holly
Dav
Holly
25. May, 2009
Thank you so much Davin. I appreciate your comment and thanks for reading the post. I agree how sad it is that so many lives are lost due to the war(s). It is very real to me because of my time in Iraq. It made me appreciate my life so much and appreciate our freedoms.
Jenna
25. May, 2009
What a beautiful Memorial Day message and so sorry about Vernon. It is so wonderful that you can keep his memory alive after so many years. I know so many of us have been touched or affected by loss due to the war, whether it be soldiers overseas or citizens who lose their lives due to unspeakable acts of terrorism. Being in NY when the towers fell was an awakening to me that all of this is real and I should be thanking God for those that risk their lives on a daily basis no matter how small their job is. I also realized that I am so blessed to live in this country…something I can never take for granted.
Thanks for the post Holly.
Jenna
Holly
25. May, 2009
Thank you Jenna. I had no idea you were in NY during 9/11 and I can only imagine what that was like. There are so many heroes who have jobs that are keeping us safe and taking care of the people during such tragedies. I agree that we are so blessed to be living in this country.
jetco
25. May, 2009
Nice post, Holly. It’s an especially touching story coming from someone who was actually there like yourself. Thanks for sharing.
John
Holly
25. May, 2009
Thank you John
it means a lot.
Victor
28. May, 2009
According to CNN, 4,302 Americans have died in Iraq and another 683 Americans have died in Afghanistan as of 26 May 2009. That is pretty staggering, but Dr. Ira Katz, a VA mental health officer recently reported there are 18 suicides a day, or about 6,570 per year, among America’s veterans. It’s becoming epidemic. The VA is slowly trying to respond, but it is shocking that there are more deaths here at home. Many veterans do not realize that there is help available to them, so raising awareness is one way to help.
Victors last blog post..CPA Review Themes
Holly
28. May, 2009
Hi Victor,
Wow. The suicide rate among veterans is so high – I didn’t realize that. I hope more people get counseling, especially after being deployed. When I was in the service, to see a mental health specialist was something a bit unheard of. It kind of put a red flag on your file to see a specialist like that – I was told anyway. When I was in, I was struggling with a situation and went to speak with someone about it and my sgt warned me that it would look negatively on my records. I went anyway and when I was there the person who I spoke with was actually depressed, and wanted to get out himself – and felt the need to share that with me prior to his outprocessing – even though I was there to seek counseling! WOW what a mess, right? I hope it gets under control and proper psychotherapists or trained specialists will be more available for veterans and soldiers. It is a huge problem.
Irish Tom
01. Jun, 2009
Hi Holly
Thank you for the Memorial Day Message.
Although I am Irish living in Central CA, my wife is American. She has a son in the military currently based at Fort Lewis in WA. He was in Vencenza in Italy when the Iraq war started and was with the 173rd Airborne. Because Turkey would not allow America to use their borders and country to go in to Iraq, my wife’s son was air dropped into the Kurdish area to secure the airfields.
We knew nothing of his whereabouts for about 2 months.
Thank God after 18 months his tour was finished and he got home safe.A very worrying time.
He then transferred to the Stryker Batt in Fort Lewis and they were sent out again with the “surge” for 15 months. He is a Sgt 1st Class and was responsible for the training of most of his team.
On that tour they lost about 15 guys.
The effect this tour had on him was unbelievable. He needed a lot of therapy He had also previously completed 18 months in Afganistan, so he is a real vetran.
He is now home and his family are so happy.
We have three great Grandkids, Jordan, Alex and Isabelle.
After his return last time, we spent a long weekend with him and his team. My wife didn’t reliaze her son was treated a such a hero by his men. Seems he helped to save quite a few lives and keep the guys safe.
I wish this war was ended and our guys and gals could come home to their families on a permanent basis.
God bless them all and keep them safe.
Tom
Holly
01. Jun, 2009
Hi Tom,
Thank you for the comment and your wife’s son sounds like a hero. I am glad he is home safely. There is so much anxiety in the unknown of the war. It’s hard to imagine what the soldiers go through when they are overseas and what they see and experience. I am sure they take a lot of it with them when they leave. I am just glad he is home now with his family. It scares me when people get repeatedly deployed – I think then especially it really “messes with” their mind and feelings. I think it would be so much harder to return, knowing what they know from past experiences.I hope the war ends soon too. Thank you Tom for your comment.
kathy@Long Beach Wrongful Death Attorney
19. Jun, 2009
Sadley I don’t think we think of memorial day of a time to reflect. Worst of all our soldiers die for all the wrong reasons. They are honorable men, keeping their end of the contract risking their lives for no clear reason, that we all attempt to justify by saying that it is to protect us at home.
jacquelyn gaston
03. Sep, 2010
Hey holly,
I came across this post today. I shared it with everyone and they loved the picture. None of them have seen it befor. I married stephen gaston (vernons son). We now have a son Ethan Vernon Gaston. I’m going to print this picture and put it in his room so he can have this of his grandfather. Thank you
Holly
20. Sep, 2010
Hi Jacquelyn – I am so sorry for not approving this comment sooner. I haven’t been on the site in a little while. Thank you so much for getting in contact with me. I do know Stephen – met him back then when I lived in Texas and was friends with Chuck. You married into a great family. How old is Ethan? I have a son who is 5. I had NO idea no one saw this pic – I thought I had sent it to Chuck while in Iraq – but maybe there was a problem with the email or letter. Wow. Feel free to email me anytime and I happened to work with the guys who were with Vernon that day. I didn’t know it until I had worked with them for a quite a while and they mentioned him. They told me they were with him and that he was very brave and saved their lives by getting them out of the line of fire. I admire Kaye and know you guys have all gone through so much. I was blessed to have met Vernon and his family. Thanks for the comment. It is really appreciated.
Kaye Gaston
03. Sep, 2010
Holly
I just found this memorial that you wrote. Thank you so much for remembering the love of my life. He was an awsome man. One of the reasons he was in Iraq was because of 9-11. When that happened he wanted to go back in the service so bad but he was past the age limit by 9 days. He wanted to do something because of it. That was one of the reasons he was there. You are awsome. It is great that I found this message 7 years to the day after his death. Thank you and I love you sweetheart
Kaye Gston
Holly
20. Sep, 2010
Dear Kaye – your words mean so much to me and thank you for sharing that with us about Vernon and his purpose for going to Iraq. That was something I did not know about – it really tells a lot about his character. I think the world of you and your family and of Vernon and was blessed to meet and get to know you guys. I really hope we keep in touch and I am glad that you found this memorial and got in touch with me. I hope to see you again someday and you need to get Chuck back in the country too so we can catch up. I will email you on FB soon. I love you too – you are an amazingly strong woman.
Kristi
27. Apr, 2011
Holly,
I found this today while i was at work and…. i am speechless… Thank you… My dad was amazing… and i miss him everyday.
I love you,
Kristi
Holly
30. Apr, 2011
Thank you Kristi – I love you too! I am glad you found this. I am so sorry about your dad. I was really affected by what happened to him …so I cannot imagine what you’ve gone through and how much you miss him. Your family was wonderful to me and he really inspired me to take a chance and go out to Iraq. I think we had similar free spirits of adventure as I was really drawn to him because of it. I hope you’re doing well and I stay in contact with Chuck every now and again – hope your mom is doing alright too and Mikey!
Take care ok and email anytime 