05/27/2024
Yes, it's late in the day on Memorial Day. Bill and I marched in the parade in Taylor, PA, today; I am now color guard. Today, I marched proudly, thinking of all those who have served our country with honor. And I believe those who serve today still do so with HONOR.
At the end of the parade, I led my band into Flag Square, turning to face them and our Drum Major as the band marched in alternating to circle around the memorial I stood before. I turned to face the memorial, and as they played, I glanced down past my white gloves and the flagpole I carried, I thought about how, while I don't know the names I saw before me personally, some were family names I recognized, and branches of the military I knew. At that moment, I felt truly American and felt the weight of the honor of being such a very small part of this day.
Today, with tears in my eyes,
I honor
- my father, Charles John Taylor, who served in the Army in 1962-63 in Korea in the first calvary as a surveyor where my birth was announced over the loudspeaker as he walked guard duty on April 7, 1963, He met me months later;
- My Uncle, William Colin Taylor (Uncle Bill to me), who served during WW2 in the Merchant Marines as a communications officer keeping our ship convoys aware and safe;
- My uncle Jack - John Gustav DeBree, Jr.- who served in the Navy in the 1960s as a submariner. I remember him when he was home, reading me Alice in Wonderland when I was supposed to be napping :-)
- My cousin Scott who served in the Navy.
- And also, Arthur Kaiser - my husband's uncle, whom Bill and his siblings have never met. Arthur was awarded the Croix de Guerre in the field in France, leading his troops, and soon after died in battle never to return home or marry the love of his life. Although we have never met him, Bill and I are blessed to have possession of his military trunk and medals.
I honor all of those past and present who work to keep us safe. Thank you, what you do is important. God Bless America.
Scott Db Sean De Bree Taylor Kaiser
