Do you choose to recognize those close to you that have passed away during the course of the year? If so, how do you go about it?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:44:09 -0500

Recognizing those we served with that are no longer with us is rather normal and we actually have a federal holiday marked out do to such things. When it comes with others that are close to us, our family and or friends, do you recognize them after they have passed? My father passed away a handful of years ago and I choose to remember him (I mean I remember him constantly because he was my father) on his birthday (which happens to be today). I know of some friends that go to the cemetery on the anniversary of someone's passing, some that go on their birthday, and some that choose to forget altogether. How do you go about dealing with loss at that point?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 2 at 2019 4:46 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:46:54 -0500

Cry, lift a single malt, remember the good times.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Jan 2 at 2019 4:49 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:49:30 -0500

Man I am sure I don’t do it right, but for me it is a year round thing. There is not a day that goes by their psyical absence is not felt and their actions not recognized. They are my brothers and they are missed greatly.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 2 at 2019 4:54 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:54:18 -0500

Mostly, by recalling them by actions in the past and their reactions, good and bad, when similar events occur. With few exceptions, those have passed, are loved and remembered for about two generations. It will be the same with all of us.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jan 2 at 2019 6:50 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:50:05 -0500

my father's ww2 photo and my desert storm photo make up my cover photo on face book

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 3 at 2019 1:00 AM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 01:00:37 -0500

My son was hit and killed by a car when he was 12. For a couple days, I indulged mourning him... to some small degree at the expense of my still living daughter and wife. Then my wife's Grandfather and my father delivered the equivalent of the General Patton slap. I still miss my son, the daughter-in-law and Grandchildren I'll never have, but I'll never forget that my loyalty is to the living FIRST. The last thing I want is for my daughter to wonder if I ever wish it was her.