A time to remember our troops and salute

Memorial Day is a day to set aside our personal feelings about
the current war in Iraq and focus on our troops.
Memorial Day is a day to set aside our personal feelings about the current war in Iraq and focus on our troops.

In our special section today, there is a sad, but poignant story: Lee Roy Pipkin, a Gilroyan and Vietnam vet, recanted a chapter in our history that many vets experienced. Pipkin told reporter Jodi Engle that when he returned home to Travis Air Force Base he was greeted by protesters beating on the outside of the Red Cross van. “That was my welcome,” he said. Pipkin, an Army ranger, was permanently handicapped when he stepped on a mine during his second tour in Vietnam.

Wayne Cegelske, commander of our local VFW Post 6309, was spit at after he returned to United States’ soil.

There is no excuse for that disrespect. And it should never be repeated in our history. We can disagree with foreign policy and we can protest demonstrably, but we cannot disrespect those who fight to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

Pipkin stressed the importance of giving soldiers our sincere and heartfelt thanks. If you see a soldier in uniform walking down the street, stop them and share your gratitude. It makes them feel good to know their contributions are appreciated.

All of the young men and women in today’s military are volunteers. They made the conscious decision to serve their country – many of them after Sept. 11, knowing they could be sent to war. That’s what makes this era so special.

They exemplify what it is to be a good soldier. And many – men like Lance Cpl. Kurt Ledesma – are helping to make the lives of the Iraqi people better so that “they don’t have to live in fear,” he said. The soldiers’ hearts go out to the children of Iraq. Pvt. 1st Class Mike Navarro plans to volunteer to patrol a school once it’s built so the children in Nasiriyah can return to class safely. It’s soldiers like these who prove that the sins of a few misguided prison guards should not taint the good deeds of the many.

On Memorial Day we will once again be reminded that the defense of freedom comes at a price. Nearly 800 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan; 58,000 died in Vietnam.

Gilroyans Bill and Michelle Vance, the parents of Lance Cpl. Ben Vance, say it’s worth it. “What country are more people trying to get into than out of?” Bill Vance asked.

We understand the answer in our hearts. We also turn that into action.

A number of local people have launched collection drives to show that people back home still care. Pamala Meador, of Morgan Hill, is collecting DVDs to combat one of the biggest problems plaguing our troops – boredom. Boy Scout Devin Collins, who is trying to earn his Eagle Badge, will have a donation booth at Gilroy’s Memorial Day parade. To find out how to donate or see the list of items soldiers most request, turn to page 8 of today’s special wrap-around section.

We can observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of fallen heroes and flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon.

The local remembrance will be at 9 a.m. at St. Mary Cemetery, 900 First St., with Cegelske leading the invocation and Supervisor Don Gage reading the names of the deceased – his father is among them. A parade will follow at 11 a.m. along Tenth Street A fun day will follow the parade at Christmas Hill Park.

Memorial Day is a day to remember our brave soldiers and to enjoy ourselves as free Americans. That’s exactly how those who made the ultimate sacrifice would want it.