Last night I read this post from @Drew51 Seeds in Blackberries thread. in the . It reminded me of the very personal toll this day is dedicated to memorializing, and thus thanking in a small way, those who gave so much.
" most of the men in my family live well into the 90’s. My dad only lived to 86, he though was a POW in WWII for 3 years, 4 months, He was in Japan, a survivor of the Baaton Death March. During that time he lost his teeth to malnutrition, had berry berry, scurvy, a tape worm, and malaria. It shortened his life I believe. He was one tough guy, went on to fight in Korea too. Came home and married my mother. Got a job at Fords after 23 years in the military. Passed in 2003, my mom passed in 1986. I miss them a lot."