This Memorial Day has me grateful to be alive.
The men on my father's side of my family tree have served in the military. My father and his brothers have seen combat. More specifically, My father has served in the Korean War. His youngest brothers have served during the Vietnam War.
My mother had two brothers that served. One of her brothers served in Vietnam. The other served in the Marines.
It would more than fair to say they were traumatized by combat.
I was in training when the Persian Gulf War happened. I did do a deployment after the Persian Gulf War and did receive hazardous duty pay.
I, on the other hand, was traumatized by military sexual trauma.
I was in the throes of depression and anxiety.
Who would think the Taillhook scandal would bring about some change into sexual assault and sexual harassment? It brought about change in the officer ranks; I can't say the same for the enlisted ranks.
I wrote this diary because my Navy brothers and sisters were being disregarded and disrespected by the current maladministration. These brave human beings didn't see being infected by the novel coronavirus when they signed on the dotted line to serve this country.
I'll make this very clear. This Memorial Day, not only will I honor those who served in the military; I will also be honoring the first responders, and the frontline workers whose lives were lost by the novel coronavirus.
It's sad that there are politicians and industry titans who want to reopen the economy, force workers to make the decision between supporting the family or preserving health, and will not raise the minimum wage, much less help recoup wages lost due to the coronavirus. I will also add these industry titans are not hearing their employees when they are asked to provide personal protection equipment to keep from spreading the coronavirus.
No one should have to sacrifice their lives for industry titans profits.