i was playing a game called howrse, thinking about lunch, thinking about my alzheimer's-afflicted guy and thinking what i could do for him, and how no matter what i do i will lose him, and not thinking about wwi, which is something i think about sometimes on other days because i had a grandfather and some great-uncles in that war. my grandfather was sent to brest, france, and never cracked a smile about the name of the town while telling me about it. he wasn't a doctor or even a nurse but he ended up somehow doing something with regard to wounded or sick soldiers, and so he learned, he said, not to screw around, since he saw a lot of venereal disease there among the soldiers and it was awful enough to make a lasting impression. he also told me how when he and one of his brothers enlisted, he was bullied by an antisemite who tried to beat him up. tall as he was, his brother was taller and came to the rescue. neither was bothered again.

remember, this is not memorial day. this is veterans day. memorial day is when we remember the fallen. veterans day is to honor veterans, living people some of whom need our help!

g