Always talk to strangers...

For several years, Bob and I have attended the Memorial Day program at Madrona Cemetery in Saratoga, California. Until last year.

Today, I went by myself. I wore my new navy blue sweater with the American Flag woven on the front of it, a gift from Janice and Dan for Memorial day. They know how I love the Red, White and Blue.

The program was excellent, with hundreds attending. The high school band played, and the high school choir sang, even using Sign Language in unison. A young soldier spoke (even though he is a 20 year vet, he was YOUNG!) And a minister prayed. And while the band played on, little boys and girls in Scout uniforms laid laurel wreaths on every grave of every Veteran of WW1, WW2, Korea, Viet Nam, and the Gulf. It was very touching. Taps played. People stood at attention, some helping the older ones to their feet. Men removed their caps.

Afterwards, I noticed a fellow with a cap on that said "Viet Nam Vet" so I reached out my hand and thanked him for serving. He got teary eyed. His wife stood with him. She said, "That's why he wears that cap."

Here's to the survivors of those wars, and to my new friends, Delmar and Ellen Wrensch.

I ran into old friends, John and Peggy Kimball, and introduced them to my new friends. Conversation about Viet Nam was lively as John had served there in 1965. "Let's go to lunch," I suggested. So, we all went to a Chinese restaurant, and I asked for a table for 6.

Ah, then I remembered. There were only 5 of us.

Bob would have talked to these strangers.