A Day to Remember and Honor

Locally, before the breaking of the dawn’s early light, volunteers from the local Volunteer Fire Department and other volunteers will be methodically placing the nation’s colors around town at businesses, while some aren’t even aware that the flags will be flying in honor of all those who have served in the military. Monday, November 11th is national Veterans Day, or Armistice Day, as some remember it from way back.

The turmoil of the world will be set aside for the 24 hours that the U.S. flag is posted, as we remember our men and women, who put their life on the line, so you could live yours.

Twenty-four hours doesn’t seem like much time to say a quiet thank you for some who re-arranged their life and plans, in some cases, and entered the field of the military services. Veterans Day is designated as the day in which we honor all those who are, or have served, in the military. We honor and remember those who are deceased or killed in action, on Memorial Day.

On Monday, the local VFW Auxiliary will be serving dinner to all veterans who attend, at no charge. Other attendees will pay for their dinner; everyone is welcome. Serving starts at 6 p.m.

The deadline of October 31st has come and gone, and the essay contests for the Patriot’s Pen and the Voice of Democracy have closed. This coming week, judges will gather and listen to 68 essays submitted to the VFW committee. This time has always proved to be enlightening and often entertaining; there are some creative and active minds in grades six through eleven; the VOD is open to students in grades 9-12, however, this year the oldest contestant is a junior.

While these youth may not really want to write these essay, they probably aren’t aware of the reason they are able to write and express their opinion on the various topics is that men and women serving our country and protecting it kept that right in place for them!

Do they really think that crawling into a cold, murky trench in a far-off country was their idea of having fun or what they planned to do when they were growing up? While some service men and women are veterans by joining the National Guard, there are more that serve because they enlisted in one of the five branches of the military or were diligently selected and chosen personally by Uncle Sam, in what is known as the “draft,” and if you think this “draft” has anything to do with hot air blowing up the back side of your knickers, please sit down and have a real chat with a veteran.

How many veterans ever thought to themselves…hmmm, I think I’d like to be stationed in Korea when my first born arrives? How many planned to be in a land they couldn’t pronounce or knew who was the leader is, when they received word that their dad has passed away?

What we have is freedom. Don’t let anyone tell you that freedom is free.

Someone paid a price to keep that among the privileges of being a citizen of the U.S.A. That someone might have been your dad, mom, neighbor, grandpa or your school teacher.

No soldier ever went forth and into combat battle because he hated what was in front (of him or her) of them so bad…they went forth because they loved what they had left behind!

That “behind” was you. That was what our service men and women did, without expectations of grandiose or a ticker tape parade when they got home. They just prayed every night to be able to come home. To come home alive after fighting for the stars and stripes on our flag of red, white and blue. And not under one draped over a casket.

Yes, you were worth fighting for. Every one of us was and still are.

While events in the world put a haze over some people’s perspective, we are still “one nation under God,” and we now in turn owe our thanks to those who were part of keeping us a free nation. We are able to have an education, medical care, food, choices…and the opportunity to say “thank you,” and not just on Veterans Day.

There is a program that promotes Remembering Everyone Deployed (RED) where we are encouraged to support our military who are not home yet, by wearing some red clothing. On the 1st day of the month, many are taking a stance and wearing “Be the ONE” t-shirts to promote being available to listen if there is someone who is battling with suicide. Homes and businesses display green lights remind people we are still waiting for the safe return of veterans. Let’s not forget the “tie a yellow ribbon” around an oak tree or display a yellow ribbon that will remain up until all soldiers return home safely. These are just a few ideas that you may not be aware of; I can share more with you…if you have time.

Thank you to all our veterans and a special thank you to those that daily keep them in mind. And a gentle reminder to our youth: you do make a difference; you are important; and someday you will be glad that you participated in the opportunity to share your thoughts on freedom with others. Be proud of yourself and be proud to be an American!

God bless our veterans. God bless you.