On occasion during my adult years my thoughts have drifted to an opportunity never seized.

Saturday, May 05, 2001

On occasion during my adult years my thoughts have drifted to an opportunity never seized. The opportunity never seized is the chance to wear the uniform of one of our great country’s branches of military.

Growing up in the generation following Vietnam there just wasn’t a push from our parents, or communities, to don the uniform. Nothing was ever spoken negatively about the military, quite the contrary, in fact. However, the losses in Vietnam apparently left a generation of parents hoping to avoid at all costs the loss of their sons and daughters on foreign soil.

Throughout my formative years, wars were a fascination of mine. Piles of books regarding strategy and actual events were plowed through in an attempt to understand.

From books and discussions with veterans – my father and grandfathers included – I grew a deep respect for those who had the courage and skills to take arms and defend our country and ideals.

In recent years, the saga of World War II veterans has been told in great detail, bringing to light for a new generation of Americans an epic moment in our nation’s history. The movie "Saving Private Ryan" was a wonderful recreation of the horror soldiers lived through during the Allied invasion of France.

The movie also spurred our country to remember the men and women who fought so valiantly. The soldiers who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts are national treasures.

Here in Austin, we will honor our veterans – our treasures – this summer when the veterans will serve as the honorary grand marshals of the Fourth of July parade.

In conjunction with the veterans marching in the parade, the Austin Daily Herald will be publishing a Veterans Memories section on July 3. This section will be filled with actual veterans’ photos, letters home and reflections on what it was like to serve and fight.

We’re asking all veterans in the area to submit photos, letters home and written reflections to the Austin Daily Herald. Those interested in submitting material can drop if off to the Austin Daily Herald newsroom or mail it to Austin Daily Herald, Newsroom, P.O. Box 578, Austin, Minn. 55912-0578. Unfortunately, we will not be able to publish everything, but we will attempt to publish as many as we’re able to. The deadline for submitting material is June 8.

This section will be a wonderful keepsake for those who served, those who had relatives or friends who served, or for those who are simply proud of the men and women who made the greatest sacrifice of all to ensure our freedom.

Neal Ronquist’s column appears Sundays. Call him at 434-2201 or e-mail him at neal.ronquist@austindailyherald.com.