Yep, that’s my take. My 10 yo’s middle name is Evard. Evard is a made up name. The Army turned down my wife’s Uncle Jenkin’s application because he was 16. USMC had no issue taking him in but changed his name to Evard J. Near as we can tell Evard isn’t a name in any language. His mom sewed a tiny flag on his pack. It was the first flag over Guadalcanal. The flag at Pease wasn’t. I have the letter from the military telling me the accidentally “Recognized” the wrong soldier. I responded my wife’s family has held the memory but doesn’t know about the flag dedication so don’t hurt another vet’s family.
Enjoy the holiday, save a few $, take a few moments to recognize why it’s a holiday. We polarize so many things. Let’s just enjoy the freedom to do what we please with it. Buy things, sell things, grill, drink, whatever freedom feels like to you.
