I admit it. I've never been good during a crisis. Plus I've never been
big on holidays. Growing up, Memorial Day was just another day to me.
But since 9-11, things have been different. I can still remember the
first time I was alone after that day. I was positive it hadn't
effected me. Then I heard a plane go over my house. I didn't think, I
just reacted, which isn't normal. My first thought was to do what they
tell you to do during an earthquake...go to a doorway. That's exactly
what I did. Like that was going to help. That's when I knew that I was
positively scared out of my mind. That's also the moment I knew my life
was changed forever, and not in a good way. Innocence and bliss were
gone, replaced by doubt and fear of what was to come. Would I even live
to see my next birthday? Since that day, I have a new found respect
for the men and women in the military.
I just watched the PBS
Memorial Day Concert, and was brought to tears more than once. It made
me think of my Great Uncle Leon. He was a casualty of war, but not in
the literal sense. He survived, but from what I understand, he was
emotionaly damaged. The story I heard my entire life was that he came
to his father's funeral with beer. He was asked to get rid of it or
leave. He chose to leave, never to be seen or heard from again. That
was in 1956. A few years ago, however, I heard something that made me
question the story I had grown up with. Ever since then, I've been
trying to find him and find out the truth. So I'm asking now...If
anyone knows Leon Dainowski (Dajnowski) from Upper St. Clair NJ, or if
Leon is reading this, please contact me. Leon, if you are reading this,
I'd love to get to know you. You are an important part of my life and
are loved.
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