Semper Fi: Our Family’s Veteran Now Rests At Snake River Cemetery
Memorial Day weekend has arrived. Families throughout Idaho will gather at the table on Monday to celebrate fallen servicemen and women, and we salute each and every one of them.
My dad served for seven years in the United States Marine Corps. He flew helicopters in the Vietnam War and assisted in the rescue of wounded warriors. He sustained an injury that cost him seventy percent of his hearing, and we just lost him this past February in Twin Falls.
My old man died from cardiac arrest on President's Day of 2023 at St. Luke's Magic Valley. He's been on my mind a lot lately, and although he didn't die while on active duty, I'm still going to honor his contribution to our country all weekend long.
There's a lot about my father's time in the United States military I didn't know about until after he passed. For instance, he served in the Air Force for a brief time before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He was also issued multiple medals following his service which I was never informed of. I knew he had earned a Purple Heart, but he discarded the medal upon returning from overseas; I'm thinking of ordering a duplicate in his honor.
I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day with your families. Enjoy some good food and the company of loved ones. I'm sure laughter and sorrow will be shared at the dinner table of many Idaho families on Monday. God bless you and yours.