The Daughter-In-Law of a Purple Heart Recipient

You may have seen that our studio is all decked out in red, white and blue. As I decorated and glitter was flying all over the place, I started thinking about what Memorial Day really means.

The holiday was designated to honor fallen soldiers, those who died in combat. Years after all of the wars that the United States has been through, we realize that life does not only end on the battlefield. With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder finally realized as a real issue, veterans often go through years of problems that are debilitating and keep them from living a normal life. When you think about it, how can anyone who has seen the affects of war ever be the same again?

This is why I am asking you to join me. While we all celebrate the warmer weather, graduations, family picnics, etc, please stop for a moment and think about what this day is really all about. So many lost their lives and so many others lost normalcy. This doesn't stop at the veteran themselves but extends to their families who watch their loved ones try to fit into society once again.

My father-in-law, Frank Guerrera of Middlebury, CT, served in the Korean "Conflict". He gets so angry when he hears the word "Conflict". To him, it is disrespectful, as if it wasn't a war at all. His stories are horrific. He was decorated with a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat. He will sometimes forget what he was just talking about but he can recount what happened in Korea all of those years ago as if it were yesterday.

If you spot a veteran, stop them and shake their hand. Trust me, it will make you both feel good.

Listen to Linda G weekdays from 3-7pm on 105.5 FM, online at kicks1055.com/listen-live/ or by downloading the radioPup app for your mobile device.