If the purpose of Memorial Day is to never forget those who served our nation and died during service, I'd say it was a success.
Around 10:00 this morning, I received a call from Pam Morin in Lake Luzerne, NY. She asked for me by name and then informed me that the Lion's Club in her town was re-dedicating a memorial to a Marine named Colonel James Priddy. When she looked on Google to research his name, the Battleherks came up.
Colonel James Reed Priddy was once the Commanding Officer for VMGR-152 in the mid 60s and his service record will astound you.
During his service from 1941 to 1968, Col. Priddy served in the Coast Guard, Navy, and the Marines. He saw combat in WWII, China, Korea, and Vietnam. Tragically, he died in a plane crash at Battle Mountain, Nevada on January 10th 1968 with 19 others.
49 Years later, the town he graduated high school from hasn't forgotten his name or his service.