Today is Veteran's Day (November 11, 2019). Don't forget to thank a Veteran. They are special people, doing special things. They are fearless, strong, giving and selfless. They are patriots fighting for a free world - and a free America. While we are home living our lives freely, on a daily basis, and knowing that by the end of each day we can rest happily and safely in the comfort of our own homes and our own beds, these amazing men and women are standing ground, fighting wars, and may never know where they will be sleeping at night. They have given up every comfort that we are allowed to enjoy, as they move forward in their goals of accomplishing special and dangerous missions in the name of Freedom. So be mindful of these wonderful souls, who were/are protecting your life and your freedoms. Just think about them, thank them whenever possible, and let them know that they are never and will never be forgotten.
So, today, I thank every Veteran (family, friend, and all others), living and deceased, for their service; and a special thank you to that young, handsome gentleman in the photo up above, whom I call Dad. He was a proud brave soldier and trained Medic in the US Army during WWII. When he was laid to rest back in 2003, at the age of 80, he was memorialized at his Funeral with the American Flag draped over his coffin. That was my way of saying good-bye to this special man, special Dad and dedicated soldier. At the least, I had to do this one last thing for him in the name of love.
Unfortunately, back in 2003, the US military was involved with all the chaos in the Middle East as we still are today. I was advised by the Funeral Director that because of our involvement in the Middle East at the time of Dad's wake/funeral, the United States was short on military personnel and it may be impossible for the military to send people down to give my Dad a proper burial with the military touch (as all deceased military are entitled to and have gotten in the past.) My immediate reaction was one of bitterness, tears and annoyance. I stressed to the Funeral Director that my Dad fought for this country, and he deserved to have a small military presence and service, performed by military personnel, at his funeral and burial. I was very upset when I added, "This is unacceptable!" This is no way to treat a veteran. I wanted my Mom to have the privilege of military personnel present, and performing a small service on the day of Dad's burial. I wanted her to have the opportunity of receiving that wonderful folded American flag in that special way only the military knew how to do. My Dad made sacrifices in fighting for this country, and now it was time for his country to give back to him, my Mom and our family in a small way with this requested gesture. The Funeral Director graciously said, "I'll see what I can do". As it turned out, two young military personnel, in dress uniforms, attended and performed a small ceremony at Dad's coffin, on the day of his funeral. Mom proudly accepted the folded flag from his coffin. I knew Dad was looking down and smiling because I fought for his rights and his freedom on this day.
So always remember to "thank" a Veteran. They deserve that. Trust me, they all have a story of the good, the bad and the ugliness of war. Their families have suffered greatly when these men and women were taken from them to fight for our freedoms. Some made it back, some didn't. Regardless, they are all special people and must never be forgotten. xoxoxoxoxo
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