Memorial Day
Weekend I stopped by the cemetery today to visit my mother and
father. They are buried in the
veteran’s part
over in the Southeast corner of our little hometown cemetery.
This area is reserved for all the locals that have served our
great country. I stopped there today to see if my mothers
stone has been set. I was very proud to see her government
issued granite marker bearing her name, rank, and also the
conflict she served during. It was just exactly as she wanted
it. Mom was very proud of her military service. Right next
to hers is the matching stone for my father. It is also a
government issued granite marker bearing his name, rank, and
the 3 different wars he proudly served in. It was just
exactly as he wanted it. Dad was also very proud of his
military service. While I was standing before these two
markers I realized how proud both of my parents would be of me
and many others that I am now associated with. I'll get to
that in a minute though. First, I must tell you a story of
when I was about 10 years old. I think I have told this story
before, but I'm going to repeat it again. The year was 1966;
the location was San Francisco, California. My uncle was
returning from Vietnam and my father was serving our country
in Vietnam. My mother and me were living at Fort Ord,
California. Mom decided that we would head to San Francisco
to welcome my Uncle back as well as the many soldiers that was
coming home with him. I won't ever forget me hugging my
Uncle, and him hugging me that day when someone on the side
spit on us. It took me many years to fully understand what
had happened. I have vowed that will never happen again if I
have anything to do, or say about it. Now on to my story. I
know my mom and dad would both be so very proud of the group
of guys that I know associate myself with. They are American
Legion Riders. We as American Legion Riders support the
Programs of the American Legion. We aren't a motorcycle
club. We are members of the American Legion, the Sons of the
American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary. We
support our troops in foreign lands, as well as our
veterans at
home. We do what we can to insure our vets are honored for
what they do, and for what they have done. I have made some
lifelong friends through my membership in the ALR. I have
been to veteran's
funerals to insure they were honored in an appropriate manner
and have watched them trying to be dishonored. I have vowed
that will never happen as long as I'm able to attend these
services. Our veterans will be honored as long as I'm
capable of holding a flagpole. When I can no longer attend on
my motorcycle, I will drive myself. When I am no longer able
to drive myself, I will have someone drive me. When I can no
longer have someone drive me, you will be attending my
funeral. I'm not a veteran, but I am very proud to be a
member of the Sons of the American Legion. I was a Charter
member of the Sons of the American Legion in Prunedale
California way back in the 60's. I am now very proud to be an
American Legion Rider. If you ever get the chance to see a
group of Legion Riders stopped somewhere, come up and say Hi.
I know if I am one of them, I will most certainly appreciate
it. And to borrow a phrase from one of the best Legionnaires
I have ever met. Thank you for what you do.
Remember, Hug your children every chance you get.
Until Next Time
Thank you
Terry Harris
Director
ALR Post 106
Larned, Kansas
Cell:
620-910-7998