Submitted by Billy Johnston

Commander, VFW Post 6447

Memorial Day. May is a special month. Think about it. May is a month in which, on two dates, we recognize very special people who have sacrificed so much for us in the name of love and devotion. First, on the second Sunday in May, we celebrated Mother’s Day. Actually, this was a sad day for me. I dearly miss my mama and think about her every day and will always honor her. Second, on the fourth Monday in May, we will be celebrating Memorial Day to honor men and women who have died in the military service of our great country. With no explanation needed, this will also be a sad day for me. I don’t know why, but this year for some reason, the combination of Mother’s Day followed by Memorial Day made me think about a song written by Bob Dylan titled “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” Don’t question my mental state, just continue to read. Better yet, sing the lyrics to this great song that go as follows:

Mama, take this badge off of me

I can’t use it anymore.

It’s gettin’ dark, too dark for me to see

I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door,

Mama, put my guns in the ground

I can’t shoot them anymore.

That long black cloud is comin’ down

I feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door.

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door

Now, in your mind, picture an American soldier lying in a bloody battlefield on foreign soil. Imagine this American soldier is bleeding; he is dying and he is knockin’ on heaven’s door, never to see his family and friends ever again in this world. Let that picture sink in your heart. Next, picture yourself at the exact same moment in time as the first picture of the American soldier who is dying on foreign soil in a bloody battlefield. At that moment, you are at home where you are totally insulated. At home on American soil, you are safe and enjoying the freedoms that far too many take for granted. Let that picture sink in your mind. Finally, please ponder over these two pictures and then sing the lyrics to “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” one more time. While you sing, old Hondo is going to sit at attention, bow his head and close his eyes in a moment of silence for all those great American soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom and defending us. This Patriotic Dog must now lie down because I am at a total loss for words. May God bless the memories of our fallen heroes.

Your comments welcomed at hondo@thomastonsertoma.org.