The best way out is always through.

-- Robert Frost

Let us take a moment this morning to honor duty and heroism and a life quietly, but proudly, lived.

I speak of John Perry , of Clarks Hill, S.C., who will be buried today with military honors in Sunset Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Perry had lived in our area for 64 years. But it is what he did 65 years ago that touches us still.

Mr. Perry, a former Army sergeant, fought for you and me at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

He died on Saturday -- D-Day's 65th anniversary -- at age 90.

His old friend, Jimmy Gilchrist , called Monday to say he thought that was somewhat fitting.

I told him I thought so, too.

Our thoughts are with the family this morning.

But our gratitude is for the old sergeant and thousands more like him, who exemplified courage, did their duty, then returned home and never made a big deal about it.

I hope he tells comrades he hasn't seen in 65 years that we still remember what they did on June 6, 1944.

FAMILY DUTIES: Some of you have been visiting family. I know because you send postcards.

Gaylord and Shirley Hunt say hi from New Wilmington, Pa., for a great-niece's baptism.

Joyce and Ranny Loyal , of Augusta, had a great Memorial Day at Turner Field (The Braves won 4-3).

Jamie Ward , of Martinez, took daughters Heather and Miriam and four grandchildren (Elizabeth , Alex , Zachary and Nelida ) to Paris,Tenn., for the oldest grandchild's high school graduation. "Blake was No. 4 in his class ... and a darn good left-handed pitcher," the proud grandmother writes.

Harry and Kathy Hamm , Wayne and Margaret Wiggins , John and Sandy Black , all of Evans, are on a trip to Washington, D.C., stopped by Thomas Jefferson's Virginia home.

Shirley , Marion , Tomlyn , Pat , Bertha , Isabell , Ann and Bill have just returned from an Alaska cruise.

Jack London , Fred Cooper , Big Al Kitchen , Patsy London , Peggy , and Vickie Cooper are in Las Vegas.

Why not share a postcard from your travels? Just mail them to me at The Augusta Chronicle , P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928.

TODAY'S JOKE: A well-respected surgeon was relaxing on his sofa one evening just after arriving home from work. As he was tuning into the evening news, the phone rang. The doctor calmly answered it and heard the familiar voice of a colleague on the other end of the line.

"We need a fourth for poker," said the friend.

"I'll be right over," whispered the doctor.

As he was putting on his coat, his wife asked, "Is it serious?"

"Oh yes, quite serious," said the doctor gravely. "In fact, three doctors are there already!"

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com