_{George V Justis    1943     Senior Medical Corpsman}

_{serving primarily in the Pacific Theater} 

In the times I have stood and thought of this marvelous man, a stoic provider of safety and light, of reassurance…of beginnings, of time and glory, of the day, of the night without fear, of knowing… of laughter, of straight talk, of work and holding down pain, and striking wrongs from the dark forces until the tissue of wayward worlds dissolved; until there was no hunger, or any real sense of doing without… of joy and the things that propelled our sadness into the pit of silent plagues….

In those times I wanted to stand close to the man in the center, just as every young man wanted to be close to him; close to Dad, in his splendid light, forming the sounds and substance of the munificent space around him. 

I do not remember any task, any challenge that was beyond his capabilities. In WAR, he shared the skills and determined actions that would rebuild the world.

He did…they did, the men and women of our war…without regret for their sacrifice, with labor and resolve, holding back the waves of subjugation that swept over innumerable parts of the earth…with courage and resolve, they hammered down the darkness…

_{George V Justis, 1943}

For all the joys and small sacrifices I have made, for all the love and devotion I have given and received, for the place I might have undeservedly occupied in your heart, I honor you...I love you so much Dad... you and the ones who endured many sleepless nights, and selflessly shared those countless, immeasurable burdens of grief and human discord; all of you, both the living and the dead, triumphant, well beyond the bounds of your duties and sacrifices...

This post first appeared on Open Salon May 30, 2010.

It was titled: “Thoughts on Memorial Day”

I feel the content applies for Veteran’s Day as well.

In honoring my father, I hope to honor all people who have served and sacrificed

for all of us.