2024.0527-Insert-001...

I've had the hots for Rod Serling since I was a youngin'. When he started popping up recently because of the publication of his never-before-seen short story, "First Squad, First Platoon", I got excited over the early pictures of him in his uniform. After more research of him and this story, I became ashamed. I had reduced him to titillating youth and skin. This is my odd recognition of Memorial Day, when so many young and old alike, died to protect our freedom.

Rod Serling

Serling dedicated the story "To My Children," even though he didn't have any at the time...

"I want you to know what shrapnel, and "88's" and mortar shells and mustard gas mean. I want you to feel, no matter how vicariously, a semblance of the feeling of a torn limb, a burnt patch of flesh; the crippling, numbing sensation of fear; the hopeless emptiness of fatigue. All these things are complementary to the province of war and friction, and they should be taught in classrooms along with the more heroic aspects of uniforms and flags, honor and patriotism."

Their sacrifice should never be forgotten.