Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Happy Veterans Day

For some of us, it's easy to forget Veterans Day or to easily confuse it with Memorial Day - the day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, it is instead the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

...to my husband, Cliff.
...to my grandpa, Bert.
...to my great grandpa, Willard.
...to my uncle, Joe.
...to my father-in-law, Wendell.
...to my second cousins, Michael G. and Michael L.
...to my cousin-in-law, Gill.
...to our friends, Aaron, Frank, and Andy.
...to those whom I have forgotten or have not ever met.

I know you didn't make the choice to serve your country for the "thanks" or the pats on the back. And I know for some of you your course was long and for others you gave as much time as you could offer. But either way, thank you for serving.



"I took an oath - and it's the best oath I ever took. I'm at peace if I come back with parts of me missing. And I'm at peace if I don't come back at all." - Lance Cpl. Michael Glover

2 comments:

Whitney and Vaughn May said...

Wow, you have a long list of relatives who've served. Are most of them still living? I hope they got to celebrate yesterday.

My immediate family has traditionally been too tall to enlist (or be drafted), but I know Vaughn has had some family members serve as well. Such individuals embody incredible courage and strength. I think about the character of the John McCain's of America - The kind that just can't be broken. I'm in awe of people like that.

On a more uplifting note, t-minus one day and counting until we EAT! haha.

Anonymous said...

From the western shore:

Your great grandfather,
Col. Willard F Bean, US Army Ret.