March 29, 2024

Happy Memorial Day

My dad cherished his service in the United States Marine Corps and, in many ways, it defines who he is.

When we moved out of our childhood home after 29 years, my brothers and I found memorabilia from his days stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. and in Okinawa, Japan while cleaning out a small corner of the basement. My parents had been divorced for nearly two decades and my dad had since remarried. But we still found little traces of him around the house that we, and he, thought were lost in time — and the mold of a 1999 washing machine hose explosion.

In the dusty concrete nook we found an M16 rifle clip, his dog tags, rucksack and a faded yellow photo of him posing in an grassy field — presumably in Japan — in Marine fatigues. When we returned the items to dad, he shed a few tears. The gear and photograph had taken him right back to his days as a Marine.

He served post-Vietnam in the late 1970s to early 1980s. He served during peacetime, but regardless how, where or when a veteran served they need to be honored.

He also served in the Iowa Army National Guard in the late 1980s through the early 1990s. During Operation Desert Storm he was deployed to Germany as support, repairing shot up and busted Jeeps and Humvees. Since I can remember, Dad has told the same stories of his military days over and over again, each time telling it like it was the first time.

Everyone in the family could recite those stories word for word. And although we lovingly role our eyes when we hear about leaving his friend in Tijuana without an ID following weekend leave and having to bail him out later, or the one about nearly having to mount out during the Iranian hostage crisis, we listen every time. He tells the tales with such energy and joy, how could we deny him?

My grandfathers remembered their service in very different ways. Grandpa Mendenhall and Grandpa Chelleen were both drafted into the army during the Korean War.

Grandpa Mendenhall was a combat engineer, sent to the Korean peninsula to build roads after the infantry cleared an area. Combat engineers also helped build basic infrastructure for South Korea. He rarely speaks of his service unless asked.

He remembered his time in-country as miserable. He remembers the freezing temperatures, poor conditions in the field and the pain of leaving hisnew bride back in the states. But regardless of the conditions, the Sgt. First Class still sees the war as something the U.S. had to do and takes quiet pride in his service.

Grandpa Chelleen also was fairly mum about his service. He was stationed in Germany during the war. He earned the rank of Corporal, and the consummate coach only spoke about playing baseball on the base — always with a grin. He was always honored to have served.

This Memorial Day, and every day, we should be thankful as a country and as citizens of Earth that our relatives, friends and neighbors who served, or who currently serve, defend our inalienable rights as humans. They have followed orders and their own hearts to preserve the freedoms of U.S. citizens and people around the world. Thank you to all our veterans.

Happy Memorial Day.

Contact Mike Mendenhall mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com