Happy Veterans Day 2015: My Watch #veteransday

My airplane descended into Frankfurt, Germany, late November 1986 without incident. I collected my duffle bags and found the bus that would take me to the Rhein Main Air Base. It was bone-chilling cold that day and snow littered the ground. After waiting an extra day, the Army found me a unit to go to: the 583^rdOrdnance Company.  My watch had begun.

Me in Basic Training 1986

I joined the US Army in July 1986, filled with Patriotism. My President was Ronald Reagan and I was proud to serve my country. Sure, I was young, but I believed in my country, its freedoms, and the Constitution. I still do.

The first major event on my watch was the Fall of the Berlin Wall 3 years later. Hungary and Poland eased travel restrictions in the fall of 1989 and East Germany followed suit.  East Germany forced its leader out of office and a new government took over.  On 9 NOV 1989 the government announced new travel requirements to take effect “immediately” and the Berlin Wall came down.

My plane landed in Frankfurt on 10 NOV 1989. It was bone chilling cold day and snow littered the ground. I started my 2^nd tour in Germany, part of V Corps, assigned to the headquarters unit in the 11^th ACR. I witnessed Germany unification firsthand on 3 OCT 1990. History came alive for me that day. History I’ll never forget. The Cold War ended on my watch, and I’m most proud of that achievement.

The next major event on my watch was Operation Desert Shield/Storm (Gulf War I). Iraq invaded Kuwait and we fought back. I remained in Germany. The 11^th ACR deployed in support of Operation Positive Force from June-Sep 1991.

In DEC 1995 I arrived in Frankfurt for my 3^rd tour in Germany. My company deployed from DEC 95-96 in support of Operation Joint Guard, however I stayed in the rear. The following summer I deployed to Hungary from JUL-OCT 97 as part of the SFOR (Stabilization Force) a NATO peace enforcement mission. 

I left the Army in NOV 1997 after 11 years of service. My watch had ended. Since FEB 2000, I have worked as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I’m proud of my service, and proud to support the US Army during these events. I met some great people in the military and I’m grateful for Facebook so I can keep up with them. 

Since then, the military has been tasked with several worldwide missions dealing with the war on terror – from the Army to the Air Force to the Navy and Marines, and I just want to thank everyone who has served. It isn’t an easy job. Thank you for your patriotism, your sacrifice, and ensuring the freedom of this great country. 

9 Facts about Memorial Day

#1 – The intent of Memorial Day is to honor those who died
in service to the country.

#2 – Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War, but
honors all those who died in the wars since.

#3 – Originally known as “Decoration Day,” because the
graves of the war dead were decorated with flowers.
#4 – The flag is flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

#5 – The traditional holiday was celebrated on 30 May. In 1971,
 it was changed so it was celebrated on the last Monday of May.

#6 – Waterloo, NY is considered the birthplace of Memorial Day,
since they proclaimed the day as a day of remembrance on 5 May
 1866.

#7 – It’s a tradition to wear red poppies honoring those who died.

#8 – New York was the first state to officially recognize the
holiday  in 1873.

#9 – Taps is a military song played on a bugle to honor war
dead.

**Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery is in Belgium, near the
 German border. American War dead from World War II are
buried there.  For over 70 years the graves have been
 adopted/care for by Belgium residents who still appreciate
what America did for Belgium. You can find more info and
 pictures here at:
http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/henri-chapelle-american-cemetery#.VWNty0rn_Gg

I’m a U.S. Army veteran having served in the active duty
 military from 1986-1997. For me, Memorial Day is more
 than just the start to the summer season. Throughout the
years since the inception of this nation, brave men and
women have given their lives to protect the freedoms
we now enjoy. I understand that to the bone. I put my
 life on the line to help protect our freedoms. To honor
that sacrifice, it’s important to respect those who lived
and died for our country. Wear a poppy today. Pause at 3
pm and offer up a moment of silence. Listen to Taps.
Place a flower or flag at the grave of a loved one who
 served. Most importantly, teach your children to honor
 those who sacrificed their lives.  Both my sons are scouts
 – one is a cub scout and one is boy scout. This past
weekend, they placed flags at a local cemetery and I can’t
tell you how proud I am of them for that.

For those who have a loved one who died, I thank you
for their sacrifice. Enjoy the holiday and your BBQ, but
don’t forget the meaning behind this day.


FOR YOU: Do you have a loved one who passed or do
 you know a veteran? Share – who are they and what
branch of the military did they serve? I’d love to hear your
stories. 

Remembering Memorial Day

Traditionally set as 30 May, Memorial Day is celebrated on the 4^th Monday of May. It's a day intended to remember the people who died while serving in the US Armed Forces.

In 1986, I joined the US Army. After electing to become an MP (military police) I went to Ft. McClellan, Alabama for my basic and advanced training. Alabama in the summer was muggy, humid, and warm, but the stuff I learned instilled a sense of pride in me that still resonates today.

Memorial Day was born out of the ashes of the American Civil war, to honor those who died on both the Union and Confederate sides. (Veterans Day is intended to honor all the US military veterans, living and dead.)

I served 7 years overseas in the German cities of Muenster, Fulda, Bad Hersfeld, and Hanau. On several occasions my squad raised and lowered the US Flag on military installations. There's nothing more inspiring than raising the flag.

In May 1868, Union General, John A. Logan issued a proclamation calling for "Decoration Day" to be observed on 30 May. He picked this day not to honor a battle or a heroic action, but because he knew it was a good time for the flowers to be in bloom.

Remember the context of the times – there was no Internet, TV, or Radio. Simply placing a flag or flowers over the graves of the war dead was the best way to honor those who gave their lives in the military for others. This most solemn tradition continues today.

Me, at the Taszur Air Base, 1997

I served in the Army for 11 years during the last years of the Cold War and before the War on Terror. Several people from my PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course, needed to pin on Sergeant stripes) served in Gulf War I.  It's not easy sometimes to give up your own personal sense of freedom, but those I knew, and myself included, did so because we all shared an unspoken pride in serving our country. That was the glue that held us together. We may have said "I’m here to earn the G.I. Bill," or "I wanted to see the world," or "I was looking for an adventure," but it was the unspoken pride in our nation that inspired us to be all we could be. It's that unspoken pride soldiers from the Civil War, Calvary from World War I, airmen, seamen, and marines embraced in World War II, and then men and women in today's Armed Forces share. It's our common denominator.

Decoration Day was initially used as a term in 1882. It wasn't changed officially to "Memorial Day," until 1967 by an act of congress.

All I ask is for you today is to take a few minutes out to share your unspoken pride with others. If you have a loved one or know a friend who died in service, place a flag or some flowers next to their resting place. If, perhaps, it's not practical, fly a flag today or stop around noon and say a prayer. In the afternoon, enjoy a start of summer BBQ. I intend to.

Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She served in the US Army from 1986-1997. She achieved the rank of E-6, Staff Sergeant. Her highest military award is the Army Commendation Medal (3x). From JUL-OCT 1997, she was deployed to the Taszur Air Base in Taszur, Hungary in support of Operation Joint Guard.

Her story, "Journey of the Heart," is a vintage romance that takes place in California in 1946. Her hero, James DiMera, served in World War II. When he returns home, he learns he has no home to return to. Can he find a new purpose and sense of worth on Rachel's winery?