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 Vie...