This is a photo of my great-great-uncle, Richard Hutson Colcock, known to family as Dickie. He and his sister, Hetty, raised my grandmother, whose own mother (their sister) died while giving birth to my grandmother. The photo was taken during Dickie’s time of active service to his (and our) Nation during World War II, so I share it with you on Memorial Day, as but a small reminder of all the men and women who serve and served, especially those who are no longer with us today.

Marcia and Katelin and I spent the Memorial Day weekend in Asheville, North Carolina visiting with family, which was lovely. The trip back today, however, wasn’t quite so good, as weather forced us into flight delays, then missed connections, then a flight into Newark, then a rental car drive home to Albany. Long day. I brought back some great, new Wayback Machine photos to share (this time including the Cherokee branch of the family), but I’m too fried to do anything right now except doff my cap in honor and memory of those who flew away before us, post a link to an article I wrote a couple of years ago that my friend Gman reminded me hits close to the spirit of the day today, and then go sit in the hot tub and be thankful for my own and my family’s good health and fortune. God bless us, every one.