On Memorial Day...

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. It's an event my family always observes because we have lost many in our family- two in particular who lost their lives while serving our country. They were both cousins and both named Troy. Because of these two and the fact most men in my family were military men, I have a huge amount of love and respect for veterans.
I have to say that I find it utterly ridiculous that the majority of people in this proclaiming they are something else; Irish, Dutch, Russian, German...not American. I guess everyone wants an identity and saying you're from someplace else seems cool. Granted, the majority of my dad's family are still in Germany. Dad, however, was born here and served this country and risked his life like so many others. His family came here with the dream that anything is possible once you reach the shores of this great country.
My cousin's were from my mom's side. Troy Partain, my Great-Aunt Lula's son, was killed during World War II. Troy Ralph, my mom's nephew died in 1969 in Vietnam.
My Aunt Lula had an only child and loved him dearly. She was in her seventies when I was born and lived down the road with her sister, Callie. She was a tiny, frail little lady, who was absolutely one of the sweetest ladies I will ever meet. Troy joined the army when the US entered the war. To her protest, he left Hardin County and went off to basic training. Later he ended up in Alaska, where the US was rebuilding forces after Pearl Harbor was destroyed. In October of 1942, Troy was killed. Aunt Lula was later told there was a truck accident and he died a few days later from the injuries at only 24-years- old. Due to wartime restrictions, he had to be buried in Alaska. Aunt Lulie never got to say goodbye (like so many other mothers who's sons are buried on foreign ground). She mourned the rest of her life and I will never forget her tears. Many evenings, she sat on her front porch swing looking out towards the road. She once told me she used to sit there for hours watching and hoping that Troy would come walking down the road from the war. Even though a gold star hung in her window she never wanted to fully accept he was gone. Years later, a soldier visited the Sitka National Cemetery where Troy was buried and took pictures of his grave. He sent them to Aunt Lulie. This was all she had. It was her only closure. I can remember her clutching the photos and sobbing over him. I wanted to comfort her, but even at an early age, I knew no words could heal her heart. When Aunt Lulie died, Callie bought Troy a headstone that sits next to Aunt Lulie's. There's an empty plot at our family cemetery to honor him. Every year the local American Legion places a flag there for him. Sadly, no one in our family has ever been able to visit his grave site. Only in fiction does that exist. When I was in college I wrote a story called "He Sleeps In Alaska" after my mom's suggestion. I created a story in which Mom, Callie and Aunt Lula took a trip in 1976 to Alaska. It was one of the most emotionally draining pieces I have ever written. I hope one day that I can actually travel to the hillside where he's buried. I'll place flowers on his grave for Aunt Lulie and see the mountains that keep watch over him with my very own eyes.
It's ironic that his cousin, who was named after him, served in Vietnam. Troy Ralph was a handsome 21-year-old when he was drafted. He wrote my Aunt Callie often telling her his plans to buy a new car when he came home, or about the girls who were writing him from home. He always tried to be reassuring and brave. He had many hopes and dreams and was full of life. Who knows what he could have accomplished had he lived. He was killed on May 21, 1969 en route to Hamburger Hill. There were many stories as to how he died, but a few years ago my sister found a book written by one of his platoon members. He recalled Troy searching for a missing buddy and found him dead- and wired with explosives that killed Troy when he tried to move his friend. He survived only 6 months in Vietnam and thankfully his remains were sent home. Soon, Life Magazine came out with one of it's most famous issues; "One Week's Toll" an issue dedicated to all the soldiers killed the week of Memorial Day. Inside was Troy's picture. My Aunt Callie kept two copies carefully preserved and now my sister and I have them. A memorial bench sits outside of the Hardin County Courthouse dedicated to him as well. We gave his letters that Callie kept to his brother, who said he felt as if he found a missing piece of the puzzle who was his older brother.
These losses are something that my family has carried with them ever since. It was such a scary time and then to have lost someone you loved so brutally. These men (and women), like all who serve are more brave than I could ever fathom. I don't think I have the guts to leave home as they did to face war. In reality they are still kids, with hopes and dreams, some that never reach fruition. Even as I write this, there are those serving in Iraq who face the same dangers and so many who have already died.
The two Troy's are heroes to our family and this country. Although I never met them, I am proud to say they are family. I hope they know how much they are loved and cherished.
Even though we can go on and on about the problems with our country, it still is the greatest country in the world. We should be proud of where we are and that we are AMERICAN! We have freedom than only most can dream of. We take so much for granted in everyday life. Those who served saw the other side of life; horror, injustice, death and destruction. They paid with their lives or came home forever haunted. We owe them... everything.

Troy F. Partian
August 28, 1918- October 3, 1942

James Troy Ralph
November 13, 1947-May 21, 1969

** Re-post from 2008**

Who's with me?

Over the past year and a half, I managed to gain 15 pounds and get as out of shape as I could possibly get. Granted, a large factor was my heart issues. The other factor was how I dealt with all the issues in my life: eating- poorly I might add. I should know better! How many hours have I spent on a treadmill? An agonizing half hour in which I'm huffing and puffing burns off maybe one cupcake. Somehow, when I'm recovered from my workout, I'd quickly downplay the agony of the gym. I'm not proud that I have bouts in which I'm a ravenous hog. I guess it could be worse. Some people deal with stress in other ways: they smoke, drink or pop pills. Thankfully my metabolism is decent enough. And thankfully I have enough vanity and sense to know it's mind over Cheetos. We all use food as a crutch, a pacifier, a way to pass the time. We really don't need all the crap we eat, so we should stop lying to ourselves!
Even when my heart was having issues and my right ventricle wasn't fully functioning, I worked out. Imagine taking a 3 mile walk- through water. That's what it felt like. My arms and legs felt as heavy as lead! I still did it, and I didn't die. As a matter of fact, it's why I bounced back so quickly in ICU after my surgery. If I can do it, anyone can do it! I don't let myself get away with a pity party for too long and nobody else should. I might add that I have several CHD friends who have either had a heart transplant, are awaiting a heart transplant, have a pacemaker or have some sort of heart failure that require taking a lot of meds. Guess what? They get out and exercise just about every day!
Ultimately, it's a choice. Sure, genetics play a small factor and certain health conditions, but that's only to a point. When I don't like how I look, I know it's was mainly my choice to eat unhealthy.
Recovery from surgery is no easy task. Something about facing death that makes you want to take care of yourself. I've been walking and doing light weights for 45-60 minutes a day. Sometimes I wake up tired and remain that way all day. I know it will pass and by the first day of summer, I want to be close to my goals.
I'm just as human as the next person, but I can't sympathize with those who go on and on about being unhappy with their weight if they don't even try.
I'm determined to get out of my bad habits and make the changes I want to see. I know how it's done. We all know how it's done! Who's with me? Oh, and as I write this, I'd like a cupcake. But tonight the cupcake loses!