"Don't Tread On Me"

There are certain "clubs" that no one wants to be a member of. However, "Gold Star Family" members are also very, very, very proud. I can speak from experience because I lost a big brother in Vietnam in 1970. He was 19 years old. Although the years have faded many memories I have of him, I still remember his beautiful smile and infectious laugh. 

What memory hasn't faded is the image of my mother answering the dreaded "knock on the door" when officers came to break the unthinkable news. She slammed the door on the poor men. It was such an incredibly intimate moment that will forever live in my mind and heart.

In times such as these, no words ever seem quite appropriate. We do our best and struggle through. Believe me when I say that it is the effort that means the most to grieving loved ones left behind.

When a President makes that effort, let us all have the common decency to give him the benefit of the doubt in that he meant every kindness and most assuredly felt completely inadequate. To think or say otherwise is frankly insensitive and ignorant. 

When people begin to use Gold Star Families as a means for division, we take that personally. Our veterans and our flag are sacred. We must speak up for them and say, "Don't Tread On Me."