NOT FORGOTTEN

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition day.

If you've never attended a ceremonial banquet or luncheon for this event you should. It's quite moving. If you live near a military installation there's one being held near you today. I'm not sure how what importance is attached to that outside the military. I am sure it is important to the families of those who are not forgotten.

When my grandmother passed away some years ago the family spent long hours sorting her lifetime's accumulation of things. My wife found a bible that belonged to my uncle - he did not want it. It's hardcover, but showing it's age, and probably signs of the rigors of it's journey to that house. It's English language, King James Version...

And stamped on the inside cover is the imprint of the Stalag where he spent the latter part of WWII, having been shot down over Germany on a fighter mission.

I've brought that book back to Germany where it sits on a shelf in my living room. near a picture of my father in his army uniform from WWII and my Grandfather in uniform from WWI.

In my living room in a house in a small town in Germany; surrounded by hills and forest and tranquil beauty. What would be the thoughts of those who made this possible, at such high cost, to look upon this now?

My uncle came home. I can only imagine the pain felt by those families for whom some one did not, those whose status is MIA.

Read more about those families here.