Ed Wood "The Right Stuff" Published May 21, 2003

Many to remember on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day for memories - some wonderful memories, some agonizing memories. Memories of loved ones no longer with us. We are called on this day to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country. Their cause was noble, and their sacrifice complete - heroes in the minds of most Americans. They richly deserve our respect and our gratitude, now and forever.

But what about the others? The ones for whom no flags are flying? The mothers, fathers, wives and husbands whose battle scars were earned by driving a truck, or handling the freight, or working the assembly line, or cooking, or washing and ironing. Getting the children off to school in the mornings, and helping with their homework in the evenings. Many who had just begun to get their lives in order when they were suddenly taken from us. How do we properly honor these who have touched our lives so personally?

Such was our effort this past weekend at the American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life memorial celebration. Hundreds lit candles and said prayers in memory of those who fought cancer's battle bravely, but lost their lives to this dreadful disease.

Still others gathered to celebrate the fact that with the help of modern medical research, they have been winning their battles with this awful disease for as long as 36 years! They too lit candles, said prayers, and walked the Survivor's Lap, to publicly show their determination to beat this dreaded disease. In the '40s, if a person was stricken with cancer, the chances of their surviving even an additional five years was less than one in four. But the hundreds who walked last Friday night have a better than 60 percent chance of winning! And their chances improve with each passing year as additional medical research is perfected.

From these survivors you heard such expressions as, "I'm so thankful to be alive," and "This disease makes you realize that each day is a gift." Such is their indomitable spirit, and through this spirit comes a sense of oneness and compassion, one for another, seldom seen in this hectic age.

And yes, I too am learning that each day is a gift. And I'll be there, along with my wife, walking once more in next year's Survivor's Lap.

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Ed Wood is a resident of Sparta, TN. His column is published each Wednesday in the Crossville Chronicle. He can be contacted at edwd@blomand.net