Mother's Day Tribute

It was Mother's Day and the hot Arizona Sun was beating down upon the Honor Guard. Today the VFW post was honoring Mom with a special event. Y'all know the rubber chicken, cherry pie, and long winded speeches. Gunny wanted to split and get a cold beer but something told him he must stay. 50 years of standing at "Attention" had taken it's toll on his frame. Gunny still stood tall and proud like any Marine. His Mom had passed long ago and this was for his comrades and their Mom's.

A small feeble lady shuffled up to him after the closing of the ceremony. She whispered "Gunny would you help an old gal say farewell to her family?" Not knowing what else to do he snapped a salute and said "It would be an honor and a privilege to serve a Mom on a day like today!" The old gal directed him to her ancient Cadillac and off to the cemetery they drove.

The old gal was sharp as a whip. She directed Gunny to the first graves. "My Dad and Uncle both died at Guadalcanal. Gunny stood and saluted these fine men. The second grave was her husband shot down over Korea. Gunny was starting to feel a special affection for this old gal. She stopped at another grave and cried a bit more "These were my twin sons. Killed in 'Nam." Final stop was at a fresh grave. The marker read Special Forces Marine Sargent Maurine Conley. This was my granddaughter. Gunny forced himself to stand tall even though he wished he could cry with this precious old Mom...

As they road back to the VFW the old Mom told him why she needed to say good by today. The doctors had told her she had cancer and would not live much longer. Her mission was to say good by to all her Marines one more time in hopes to meet them once again on the other side. Gunny stopped the ancient Cadillac and openly cried. The old gal comforted him with the words... "Semper Fi old friend. We Mom's may not wear your uniform but we are just as proud. You fight for us and we fight for you."

A few weeks later the old gal passed away. The funeral began on a quiet hot Arizona afternoon. Then there was the sound of marching boots. Gunny had enlisted his old platoon to say good by to an old Marine Mom...There is a saying the Few, the Proud, the Marines, today we add the Moms. Semper Fi... Mizpah ;-}}>