Honoring our Veterans

For the past 8 years, our old elementary school would hold a special Veteran's Celebration. Papa attended each one of these. He proudly hangs the certificates for each year of attendance at these celebrations. I remember the year he tearfully gave his appreciation to his fallen comrads and explained the love he had for this country to an auditorium of elementary school students, teachers, family members in attendance and other veterans. There were many misty eyes among the adults; they understood.

There was another year that the principal arranged for some military helicopters to fly over head and land in the parking lot.

Each year he would proudly introduce his GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. Wow, Ahhh would be heard from the adults in attendance. It is always a touching experience. Especially to hear the children stand and recite the pledge and include ONE NATION UNDER GOD. It made me proud.

We miss these celebrations with Papa now that we have moved, but I hope he knows that we are still super proud of him. Proud of ALL of our veterans. Papa P, Grandpa T., Ticklebug Gpa, Gpa M, Uncle Sean (active), Uncle Doug (active), Uncle Rod, Uncle Aaron, and..... me.

Ronald Reagan states it best when it comes to honoring our veterans, “We’re gathered today, just as we have gathered before, to remember those who served, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country… One of those who fell wrote, shortly before his death, these words: ‘Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.’ Well, today, Veterans Day, as we do every year, we take that moment to embrace the gentle heroes of Vietnam and of all our wars. We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause…

Our liberties, our values, all for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom’s front. And we thank God for them.” —Ronald Reagan

Thank you for your service to our country!