Veterans' Day

 

Today is Veterans' Day in the United States.

It's a day to remember soldiers, both past and present, who have helped savor the incredibly important gift of freedom.

My own late father was in the U.S. Army Infantry.

He was shot in the arm during World War II and awarded the Purple Heart.

He never wanted to talk about his military service during war.

I imagine he experienced horribly gruesome things so it was just a terrible agony to remember. 

So to Daddy and to all veterans everywhere, "THANK YOU, FOR YOUR SERVICE."

IF YOU SEE A SERVICE PERSON TODAY, BE SURE TO SAY "Thank you."

A Day to Honor Veterans

                          (Photo taken in the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado)

Today, Veterans Day,  Americans remember.

For all the men and women in all the Armed Forces who left to fight and never came home, we remember.

For all those who came home maimed or missing limbs, eyes or calmness of spirit, we remember.

For those fighting now, to preserve our precious freedom, we remember.

For all the tears shed by mothers and fathers for sons and daughters lost in the fight for freedom, we remember. 

When we see the American flag, rippling through the breeze today, may our hearts fill with pride  and honor as we remember.

Honoring Veterans

                    (Photo taken by Susan Wicker is of a body of water, at sunset,  in Western Massachusetts)

Today, Veterans Day, is a bittersweet holiday.

It's so filled with memories, many of them sad.

Of course, we honor all veterans on this day, those who are still living and those who have gone to the other side of life.

My late father was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was in the Infantry but he didn't really like to talk about it all that much.

I think he saw and participated in many war  horrors and never got over some of them.  

That's what war does to a gentle, loving human being. It hammers the heart and makes lasting marks.

Today,  I feel immense gratitude to be able to live in this country and experience all the freedoms that veterans, including my Daddy,  so valiantly fought to preserve.

 How can I ever pay them back for all their sacrifices?

Well, one way is to be the best possible citizen and to continue serving others whenever possible.


When I hear the National Anthem and see the American flag waving in the breeze, it always chokes me up and makes my eyes overflow with tears. 

Our flag at home is up and flying from our front porch. 

Today, we'll remember and give thanks to veterans with all our hearts.

 p.s. Thanks, Daddy. Someday we will meet again and I'll give you a great big bear hug. 

What a happy day that will be!


HOW DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE WHO HELPED PRESERVE FREEDOM?