"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States that honors and mourns members of the military who have passed away while serving in the United States Armed Forces.2 It is observed on the last Monday of May and is not to be confused with Veterans Day, which celebrates the service of U.S. military veterans, or with Armed Forces Day, which honors men and women currently in service.0 Memorial Day commemorates all men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle."
This one hits a little deeper around this time of year for me. Although my dad did not die while serving in the Army, he died at 78 years old after giving half of his life to our great country. He served his country in Vietnam and then came back to the United States and went straight to the FBI Academy to become an FBI Special Agent for 30 years. My dad gave his life to this amazing country that we all call home. He lived and died defending "Old Glory"! My dad, John Henry Louis Hoos III, enlisted in the Army after graduating college. Why? Well his Selective Service number for being drafted was going to be called and since he graduated college he could enlist in the Army and become an Officer. Dad went on to go to Vietnamese Language school in Texas before being shipped off to Vietnam around 1967/1968. My dad didn't talk to much about his time in Vietnam until later in life. He received a Purple Heart while serving in Vietnam. He was in a bunker receiving enemy mortar rounds when one mortar round hit close to where he was. Shrapnel from the mortar round slammed into my dad's face right on his chin. (I have the mortar round that hit my dad) He spent weeks in the hospital and never told his family about what had happened. Back then only communication from The States was in the form of hand written letters. It would take weeks and months for any service man to get mail from their loved ones. My dad never told his family what had happened because he didn't want them to worry about him. He carried that on throughout his whole life and never let myself know about the things that worried him or scared him while being an FBI Agent. (More on that later) It wasn't until he returned home that his parents saw his scar and asked him what happened. When he did return to the States he was bombarded with questions and hateful things from Americans that didn't understand why he was there. My dad did not agree with the US being in Vietnam, but he did what he needed to do because the country called upon him to do it. That is how they were born and raised back in those days. If you got called upon (drafted) by your country then you went and served NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Once my dad returned to the United States he was asked my his superior to continue in the Army and work at the Pentagon. My dad refused and went straight to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He went on to have a 30 year career with the FBI. In his last days he made sure to tell me that the current FBI is nothing like the FBI he joined back in 1970. The stories he would tell me about his time doing surveillance in the streets of NY in the early 70's is comical. My dad went on to do many different jobs with the FBI. He started out doing White Collar Crime (Mob type stuff) in the early 70's. He had a short stint in Puerto Rico working fugitives and playing poker games with other FBI Agents. After Puerto Rico my dad moved to Thousand Oaks, California with my mom and sister. I was finally brought into the world on June 4, 1976. My dad continued his career as an FBI Special Agent working various details in his 30 year career. He worked White Collar Crime, Bank Robbery Squad, Columbian Drug Squad, and Media. He excelled at the Media Squad. He was the one on TV and News Papers letting the world know what the FBI was doing at that time. After his time in the FBI he became a Special Investigator doing background checks on Cabinet Appointees for the Bush Jr. administration. Finally he decided to completely retire and move down to Florida to be close to myself and my sister. My dad was always a very private man. He had a small circle of close friends. He lived his life how he wanted to live it. At times that was at the expense of myself and my sister. However, that was my dad and we just learned to accept that. At the end of the day all I can say is...... I love my dad for who he was and what he stood for. He bled the Red, White, and Blue. He was what America is about. He was and will always be a TRUE BLOODED AMERICAN PATRIOT in my eyes. Dad... I know you can't see this, but rest assured... I love you for YOU! I love you for your love of our great country. I love you for instilling in me what it is to be a TRUE PATRIOT for our great country. We had some times where we didn't see eye to eye, but you allowed me to be who I am. If it wasn't for you, mom, and Wendy I would not be the man I am today. Welcome Home Dad!!! Love You..Your Son, John Chadwick Hoos Aka Clyde P.S. Miss you like no other!