Veterans Day

My father served in the Marines during the Korean war.  He was a newly-minted lawyer and served in the JAG corps. We have a photograph of him with his arm around my mother- they were newlyweds- standing outside the Pentagon. He looks like his uniform is wearing him.

He was very proud of being a Marine, and when he left active service he joined the Reserves. He was in the Reserves most of the time I was growing up.

This was great for my mother, as it allowed her to shop at the PX. (In the days before Costco, the PX was the best bargain around.) We were a large-ish family- 6 kids- and this made a real difference for us.

In the summer Dad would go on active duty for two weeks, usually in some desert. When he came home he would be heavily steeped in Marine-ness, and apparently not terribly eager to put it aside. As a result we kids would spend weeks "squaring away" various "areas," "policing" others, and hearing "reveille" every morning.  It was really annoying.

He finally retired from the Reserves at the rank of colonel. "I'm an officer and a gentleman,"  he announced.

"It took an Act of Congress," my mother shot back.

 A very happy Veterans Day to all who serve and have served our country.