Memorial Day 2007

On this Memorial Day, I sobered up long enough to summon the courage to go through a box of my father's old letters that I received upon his death, to pay my respects for his service in what was probably the only justifiable war that this country participated in since it's inception.
My father was Canadian, but served in the U.S. Army and was actually one of the first boys who hit the beach at Normandy,when he was barely 22. Although he survived that war, a very large part of him died, as a result of what he experienced. The man I came to know growing up was very, very different from the man whose youthful letters I now can only bring myself to read on very rare occassions. As noble as his service was and as necessasry as that war was, it left him forever a very damaged person. I don't have such an excuse.
Unlike my generation, his did not have the luxury to think about 'personal growth' and the pursuit of trivial personal thrills. They survived poverty during the Great Depression, then went off to fight in a horrifying War and then came home largely shattered and broke. The post-War letter I've photographed begins,"I suppose that I am just as happy as all other discharged veterens,but coming home has been no picnic for me...."
The fact that I cannot even begin to conceive of his experience tells you everything you need to know about myself as well as my father, Leonard Warren.
While looking through the box of letters, I came across a song he must have written nearly 67 years ago:
"Moonlit University"
I've been inspired by the moonlite
To write
A song about a night
We Spent together at old T.U.
Remember

Moonlit University, Dear
When we two found each other's arms
It started as a love song
One that could never end.

It was a year ago tonight
We had to part
Why did we have to fight
I loved you from the start

Moonlit University,Dear
I can't forget
I want to get
Another chance with you

My Dad was an accountant who would go nuts if I accidentally dropped a glass off of the table. I sure wish I would have gotten to better know the man who wrote "Moonlit University". But I am forever in his debt and in the debt of your fathers, grand fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, friends and lovers who also gave up their lives at home to go to serve a cause greater than themselves. On behalf of selfish pricks like me everywhere throughout this great land on this Memorial Day: Thank you.