On Monday, I drove our high school sophomore granddaughter to sing with her acapella group to a county Memorial Day event. I dropped her off at the front entrance where she quickly met up with others in the group. I left the venue and discovered a wonderful walking trail around a lagoon. Like me, there were many others doing their daily walk gingerly and carefully avoiding the many geese droppings on the paved path. After 4 walks around the lagoon, I achieved my goal of 3 ½ miles.
Going around the lagoon, I saw from a distance the many veterans and people arriving at the venue where my granddaughter was going to sing. Many were wearing their military pins and hats identifying where they served and the honors they received. Soon, after another loop around the lagoon, there were American flags flying and old army jeeps and other military vehicles parked outside the hall.
I didn’t feel that I was welcomed to attend. The US war that I was eligible to serve, I became a conscientious objector. During the Vietnam War, I was a college student and believed that my Christian faith meant that God created all human beings in God’s own image and that regardless of any reason that may justify my action to take another life, it would be a violation of my faith. Eventually, I went to seminary and received a 4D classification and spoke out against United States involvement in Vietnam and for that matter, against all wars and violence. Since then, I never felt really patriotic because my loyalty was and still is ultimately to God over country.
Toward the end of my walk, my granddaughter texted me to say that the event was “free” and that in a few minutes, they will be singing “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace.” They had already sung the national anthem. She told me that I can stand by the open door if only I would like to. I did.
I was there to hear the speaker thank the many groups for sponsoring and bringing wreaths to adorn the stage. He recognized the different military armed services that have served on our behalf over the years. He reminded the many veterans present that if they needed anything, that he was there to assist. In the end, in addition to the light snacks, the Girl Scouts in the area donated cookies for each veteran to take home.
When the acapella group sang, there was total silence and respect. You can hear a coin drop. After both numbers, their applauses were enthusiastic like they may have heard them sang when they served in wars past. The high school students in the choir may have reminded the old veterans that the future may be promising.
A few years ago, in response to Chinese service men and women who served in World War II seeking recognition were officially recognized with the US Congressional Gold Medal. To receive such honor, descendants of veterans provided proof that their family member served in WWII. My father served in Germany and we have a picture of him in front of the Eiffel Tower! With my father’s dog tag and a picture of him in uniform, my father, Goon C. Ng was listed to be honored and on behalf of my family, I accepted the gold medal.
When the acapella group sang, I too watched in silence alongside with the veterans because even though my own religious convictions of conscientious objection to war, I realized that we are also a military family. At that moment, I felt that I belonged in that assembly too.
When I met up with my granddaughter, she was wearing a red poppy given to her by planners of the observance. I told her it symbolized remembering those who gave their lives or suffered in wars. I told her to wear it proudly since her great grandfather served honorably in the US Army for freedom and liberty that she cherishes today.
Contrary to all the issues that I find the US still faces today, I am beginning to see Memorial Day as a time to remember all who gave up their lives for us, to honor veterans including my father who served and became a US citizen by serving, and ultimately through this one event, changed the course of our family history.
Donald Ng
5.28.2024