Memorial Day

A few bits from my childhood stamp collection that I thought would be fitting for the Day.

I almost forgot about my stamp collection- a major obsession when about 10 years old. At times like this, I’m happy to have been a pack rat, although my organizational skills left a lot to be desired at that young age. My “stuff” is everywhere- packed into boxes, envelopes, and cans that have been shuffled and reshuffled all over my basement and my parent’s house for years.

These stamps, like all references to World War II, remind me of my grandfather Raymond Strong, who fought in the War in the 2nd Air Division of the 8th army.

As Memorial Day is a day to commemorate those soldiers who have died in military service, I am happy that my grandfather is very much with us today and proud to honor those not so fortunate as himself.  As he has said many times, “I’m the luckiest man alive”.