Cancer Diary: Memorial Day Reflections - Remembering, Honoring, and Embracing Life
Memorial Day is more than a holiday for me—it’s a deeply personal day of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. It holds significance for me in three ways, each carrying its own weight of emotion and meaning.
First, as a veteran who served during the Vietnam Conflict, I take this day to honor those I knew—those who fought, those who sacrificed, and those whose lives were forever altered by their service. Some of my military friends never returned home, and others carried the burdens of war long after leaving the battlefield. Today, I remember them. Memorial Day, traditionally observed by visiting cemeteries, is an opportunity for all of us to pause and recognize their courage.
That brings me to Carl. His grave is another stop I will make today—not for military service, but because he, too, was taken far too soon. Cancer of Unknown Primary was his battle, and although his illness wasn’t linked to war, I can’t help but think of the veterans—especially those who served during Vietnam—who faced a similar fate. Agent Orange exposure led to untold suffering for countless service members, many of whom developed aggressive, life-ending cancers. While Memorial Day often focuses on those lost in combat, I also acknowledge the soldiers who succumbed to diseases rooted in their service.
And then, there’s my daughter, Fawn. She was born on the traditional Memorial Day—May 30. Her birthday brings an unexpected contrast to this day of solemn remembrance, and I’m grateful that the official holiday date has shifted. By separating commemoration from celebration, I’m able to embrace the joy of her birth without the overshadowing sorrow of the day’s meaning. It’s a reminder that even amid grief, life continues—bright, hopeful, and full of promise.
Memorial Day is an emotional intersection—of loss, of love, and of legacy. Today, I honor those who left us too soon. I mourn the sacrifices, and I celebrate the lives that continue. The past shapes us, but the future still invites us forward.
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Blog editor's note: As a memorial to Carl, and simply because it is truly needed, MSI Press is now hosting a web page, Carl's Cancer Compendium, as a one-stop starting point for all things cancer, to make it easier for those with cancer to find answers to questions that can otherwise take hours to track down on the Internet and/or from professionals. The CCC is expanded and updated weekly. As part of this effort, each week, on Monday, this blog will carry an informative, cancer-related story -- and be open to guest posts: Cancer Diary.
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