Three days after graduating from high school I turned 18 years old. Three days after my birthday anniversary I was at Parris Island, South Carolina beginning boot camp. Back then, I thought that I was tough. . . perhaps to some extent I had convinced myself! The Marine Corps redefined toughness in ways that I could not have imagined. Looking back, I remember asking myself, “What have I gotten myself into now? “

After volunteering to go to Vietnam, and finishing the Advanced Infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California, I arrived in Vietnam . . . home for the next year or so. With a bit more emphasis I asked myself this question, “What have I gotten myself into? “

A great amount of water has flowed under the bridge since those days, but the lessons I learned in Vietnam have been with me for a lifetime.

I learned at the young age of 19 that I was not immortal. There is a very fine line between life and death. Life was no longer measured in years, but in fractions of a second and inches. The fleeting brevity of life became the reality of the day.

Next month, God willing, I will be seventy five years old.

The lessons I learned at the age of nineteen are vividly remembered in my almost seventy-five year old mind  . . . the fleeting brevity of life. The precious gift of life . . . how transient it is.

Psalm 39:4 reads:

“Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.”

Psalm 90:12 reads:

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

Live each day as a gift from God, and rely on His wisdom to live it well. This is perhaps the greatest lesson that I learned in Vietnam.

 How does all of this relate to Memorial Day?

At the seventy-fifth anniversary of the landing at Normandy in WWII, a British veteran, Harry BIllings, who was among the first to land on D-Day, was there.

A British journalist commented to Mr, Billings:

“ We are grateful to You!”

Mr. Billings replied:

“Don’t thank me and don’t say I am a hero. All the heroes died, I was lucky. I’m here and I’ll never forget them as long as I live.“

Likewise, I am not a hero. I only stand here today by the Grace of God!

This Memorial Day we solemnly remember those who, wearing the uniform, died defending our nation. Today we stand on their shoulders and enjoy the incredible blessings of their sacrifice. They gave their last full measure. Their legacy is carved in granite, to weather the ages.

It is our duty to remember and give thanks! Abraham LIncoln  said it well,  “A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”

I am a steward of these bountiful blessings, provided by the selfless sacrifice of others. The question that I ask myself today is: ”Will my legacy reflect that I faithfully remembered, cherished, and protected this sacred trust?"

Semper Fidelis
Terry L Blose
Sgt. USMC
Danang, Chu Lai, RVN  1969-1970