Memorial Day Continued… 14th Annual WI POW-MIA Balloon Launch
31 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Military, Photography
Yesterday Mark and I drove over to Wind Lake, WI to their Veterans Memorial Grounds to witness the 14th Annual Wisconsin POW-MIA Balloon Launch. One of the largest, if not only, Balloon launches nationally, it has been put together for 14 years by a great team of Veterans, families and friends and spearheaded by Vietnam Veteran Jeff “Doc” Dentice (he also hosts the following Veterans websites: Doc’s Vet’s Site and the Wisconsin POW-MIA Balloon Launch. This is a very special if not solemn event. It is a time to remember those who are serving and who have served but the main focus is on those who gave their all and did not return home, our POW (Prisoner of War) and MIA (Missing in Action). As I stood there for the ceremony it was daunting and my heart hurt as they listed off names and the response to the roll call was “absent”, meaning they are still missing. The list was long and the crowd was silent, respectful and thoughtful. At the end “Doc” gave a prayer for those lost soldiers which was straight from his heart and then the balloons were sent to the heavens, 1 balloon for each WI POW and MIA soldier, the sheer numbers are overwhelming. So many who were there are Vietnam Veterans and this strikes as close to home for them as anything… I can not even imagine the hurt and pain but I see it in their faces but they are resolved to make sure that none of their brothers or sisters who served will ever be forgotten. The Vietnam Veterans had a hard homecoming or none at all. They are finally being recognized but one of the amazing things they are doing is reaching out to the newest generations of Veterans to make sure that they are cared for coming back home and that none of the newest generations receive backlash, go without help or are forgotten. I saw so many interactions between Vietnam, Desert Storm/Shield and Iraq Veterans and even some older generations, it’s good to see, it’s good to know that you are not alone.
I served during Desert Storm/Shield in Germany while so many people from my unit were shipped overseas to Saudi and some came back wounded or some never came back. Now we have a new generation and the war is different as each one seems to be but the pain and loss is always the same and so easy to hold in. I think that’s why it’s good to have Memorial Day, to remember, to get out there and show our support. Even if it means that someone still remains silent about their pain, they will know that people care and will keep on caring, that they are not alone or forgotten. SE WI is a good place for Veterans, we have support, we have a community, if you need help or just to talk there are people here who will listen. We now have a new coffee shops run and owned by Veterans for Veterans to have a place to go to connect with other Veterans and the community in a relaxing environment. There are also support groups too, but the coffee is great and so are the conversations, so stop in at Dryhootch or check out their website at Dryhootch.org. While Memorial Day Parades and the POW-MIA Balloon launch brings out the patriotism in all of us, it can also bring up some painful memories. If this happens to you, know that you are not alone, that there is someone out there who cares for you. I care for you! May God Bless America and watch over all who are so diligently serving, have courageously served and those who have given their all.
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