My wedding day, July 11, 2009…my father was pleased to pull his dress blues from his closet, at my request, to give his daughter away to the man I love.  Even though he had always kept himself physically fit, I was impressed that he could still fit into his uniform.  As I gaze fondly at this picture (it was my wedding day!), it triggers memories from many years ago.

I worked as a server for a catering company, in high school; that was contracted to cater the Air Force Ball.  Although, my Dad was in the Army, he was frequently invited to other branches of service celebrations.  As dinner concluded and my catering duties were complete, I received permission to join the event with my parents.  My parents attended the Ball with another couple, that have been friends for many years!  We danced and danced…

There was a popular song at the time- Jump, by Kriss Kross.  Please close your eyes and imagine with me; two Forty Something, distinguished military men, in Dress Blues (chests full of medals) jumping up and down and swinging their arms.  A memory I will cherish forever, still good for a smile and a giggle.

Perhaps the grin on his face lets me know that he, too, was remembering something from our past!!!!

I am a Vietnam-era Veteran of the U. S. Navy, which means that I served stateside during  the war and was not an in-country Veteran.  I was an Army brat growing up, the military wife of a Marine, and the mother of two Veterans of the U. S. Army. Now, some forty-years later, I have much to Honor, Remember and Heal.

My father was in the U.S. Army for thirty-years. His combat record included service time in Japan during World War II, the Korean War and finally Vietnam.  He was stationed near Saigon while in Vietnam and ultimately was sprayed with Agent Orange.  Some seventeen-years after his return to the states, my dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer that eventually spread throughout his entire body. He died in March, 1985.

My brother is presently a Colonel in the U. S. Army whose combat experience includes Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.  He is a former AH-64 Apache Pilot and currently serves as a Professor at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

My husband of eighteen-years was in the Marine Corps for twenty-seven years.  His combat experience was also in Vietnam.  He now works for the Postal Service in Missouri.

Both of our children served in the U. S. Army; our son in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, and our daughter stateside as a “Screaming Eagle” at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Most families with military experience can claim one or more of the above scenarios.  There are precious moments that can be shared with family and friends, or private moments that go no further than the military mind.  Whichever the case, journaling has been proven to bring honor as well as remembrance for the family, and healing for the burdened mind.  It is also the ideal self-expressive manner in which to leave your veteran’s experiences to the future.  Join us and celebrate your Veteran’s Legacy…I just celebrated mine.

- Nita Clarke