While she did not die at war, Janet Edelen gave her life to her country. Born in 1917, maturing without her parents, during the Depression, Janet pursued an education in nursing and joined the military and served during WW2 with a stateside burn unit. She remained with the Veterans Administration hospital system the rest of her working life, eventually serving as head nurse at the Cleveland VA psychiatric unit. After her many decades of service to young men and women harmed by three major global conflicts, it is safe to say she attempted to heal as much pain, suffering and hopelessness as any who walked before her or shall follow in her steps... she lived through bitter times, in a bitter world. She passed away, a few weeks ago, shortly after her 90th birthday. She was never bitter, but she was always very serious about life.

The closest I have been to war is by Janet's side, seeing the pain in her hollow eyes... in sight and as she went blind from Macular Degeneration. I hope, in blindness and death, flowers took the place of seared flesh as what Janet saw in her mind, but I don't think that was the case. I do not know what death means, except that Janet will always live on in the hearts of those who knew her and were made better by her. That seems a fitting memory, and reason for a day of memory, with or without war.

As I spent Memorial Day with family still alive and living around NEO, I was happy that Janet had just seen my young children, and they had seen her, and that she died knowing she was loved. I hope she also saw promise in the future the young children will create for this world. Her days as part of "The Greatest Generation" were far removed from the hype of our media and far too serious to ever see life in Earth as great. Janet was far too serious for that - she had wisdom.I love you Janet - you taught me much - I miss you - rest in peace.