In honor of Memorial Day, I am reposting Guadalcanal Diary, the story of how my father came to write about his experiences as a soldier during World War II — along with a couple of pictures as well as his original document. I always feel sad on this day – because I am acutely aware that he has been gone another year, and because I know how deeply his time in the South Pacific traumatized him –  how many old friends and buddies died during the war.  Yet he was the kind of man who, instead of becoming bitter and angry at his losses, and the horrors he experienced, somehow managed to move on with his life and raised a family he loved and allowed himself to become the honorable and gentle and kind person he was meant to be.

This is for the other fathers (and mothers) who went through similar struggles in more recent wars – to those who were fortunate enough to come back alive, all have had to make their way in a new paradigm, a new world. To relearn how to live again- with grace.  Peace.