I finally received Bill’s gift card for the “Vietnam Memorial Brick”, but I had to come up with something to write on the inside. His birthday is Sunday and he’ll be 61 so we’ll have a small celebration I’m glad he wants something simple like the pineapple upside down cake since I am the world’s worse cake baker.

I don’t think I would like having my birthday so close to Christmas and especially on the 25th it seems like it kind of takes away from your special day or at least it does to me. I prefer having mine when it’s separate from all of the holidays and no one is as stressed and you don’t get those combined birthday/Christmas presents.

Of course he already knows what his birthday present is because he had to supply all of the information for me. He’s so difficult to buy for so this is the perfect present for him because now he will at least know he is being honored for the 2 years of his life he gave up to serve his country with no thanks from either side.

I’m not the greatest at expressing sentiment, but at least he will know it’s heartfelt and that I mean it. The short verse below is what I finally came up with I’m sure I could have done better, but too much is going on. He knows how I feel though so that’s all that matters.

You served your country valiantly when you heard the call
No parade or welcome home, protesters made you feel like dirt
I’m so glad I have the opportunity to honor you
with this “Vietnam Memorial Brick”
instead of seeing your name on “The Wall”

God Bless those that served in all of these stupid wars, but we know that they will never end because there can be no peace in this world because then we would stop aspiring for a better place or a Heaven. I’m sorry that makes no sense to anyone, but me. I honestly believe there will be no peace in this reality.