This special Memorial Day weekend takes me back to World War II when my Dad, J. Juan Reid, served in the Army Air Corps.

I remember the day the Japanese bombs were raining down on Pearl Harbor. The phone rang with the terrible news and Dad answered with incredulity and a string of epithets. Even though he was 33 years old with a wife and three children, he like so many Americans volunteered to serve even though he would have been exempt.

We uprooted our family and moved to Denver, living in four different rentals between 1942 and 1945. Dad was in charge of physical training at bases where they taught airmen basic skills. It fit his background as a coach to a “t” and he threw himself heart and soul into creating an outstanding program.

Serving in a big city during the War was an inconvenience, but certainly not anywhere near the sacrifices made by millions of Americans and their families. However, other millions served without publicity or drama in all kinds of easy to tough jobs to support the war effort.

My Dad was one of those. Thanks for serving Captain Reid. I salute you also.