July 5th is a day I will never forget. I believe it was 1969, I could be wrong, that I took my young children to the 4th parade the day before. Those parades were always a tad sad for me as my dear father was no longer in them. He had been a fireman and loved the parade where he originally was the ''wheel man" in the back of the hook and ladder truck. Later on he would be in the cab of the firetruck and loved to hit the sirens, but was very embarrassed when his twin grandchildren screamed in fear!! lol But I digress. There was no family picnic on that 4th, no VFW or AMVETS picnic, no event at the Brookfield, Il fire station for us. After the parade I think I had a baby sitter for the kids and I spent the day at the funeral parlor. I had quit smoking a few months before, but when my beloved only brother was killed in Vietnam I started up again at the funeral parlor when friends were smoking! Now I really am sorry for that! We were to find out much later that Bud died from 'friendly fire'! That it was one of our own mortars that killed him. Being fortunate to have an open casket, with a sheet of glass over his body, it was evident that his one ear had been affected thus his brain. We had celebrated our sister's wedding that April, Bud in his uniform and we were so proud! I remember dancing with him my heart swelling with pride for this very handsome man in uniform. He deployed to Vietnam on May 1. Shortly after that he
experienced great fear and was hyperventilating. They took him to a MASH unit where he was given a paper sack to breathe into and sent back out as 'point man' in the front of the troops. He was killed on May 24th! They say that the men either were killed shortly after they arrived in combat, as Bud was, or just before they were to come home!
So on July 5th that year, with flags still flying and bunting still gracing the city, we buried my amazing brother. I will never forget that time in my life, growing up with that crazy kid, or not being able to grow old with him.....
So, you wonder why I'm such a patriot?? Why my country and my flag mean so very much to me? I sacrificed my young brother for our freedom and NO ONE can tell me different! Don't EVER try and tell me that Vietnam was a waste of time! I might just scratch your eyes out....
Marrying my beloved Oscar, a true military retiree and patriot himself, took the edge off the loss of my brother and gave me an ally in my deep seated patriotism. I miss him very much, even after 3 years.....
I was very blessed to have had those two amazing men in my life! RIP Anton James Jecmen Jr. and Oscar Charles Bergman. I love you both!