Memorial Day 2016

Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who served in the military. Traditionally it is observed on May 30th but is now "the last Monday in May."

Regardless, it is also the birthday of our Johnny Henderson Pruett and this is the first Memorial Day without him. He served in Korea and Viet Nam in the Air Force.

Upon his return from Viet Nam he was abused by so-called "hippie" demonstrators who were screaming at him and spitting upon him, called him "baby killer" and threw rocks at him at the airport in San Francisco upon his return though he arrived obviously wounded with two broken collar bones which he incurred as the result of his service to his country.

He never understood the immense hostility of these vicious American citizens toward another citizen engaged in their military duty. This misdirected rage was also obviously a painful memory to him as he related it to us — and knowing him like we do we know he did not deserve this treatment.

I hope that your family has never suffered the reprehensible abuse Johnny H Pruett endured as the result of his military service. He was first and foremost a family man, a patriot, and a man of honor.

Happy birtday Johnny Pruett and Happy Memorial Day. Freedom isn't free.