It's Monday again and time for Fun Monday! Our host this week is Jan and she gives us this assignment:
Since Next Tuesday is Veterans Day, I thought it would be nice to salute our Veterans and show our appreciation. Photo requirement of something patriotic.
Believe it or not, I wasn't always very aware of Veteran's Day as anything other than a day off of work or a day out of school. How unpatriotic of me. But now that I am older and I have reasons to appreciate this day, I always remember the veterans who have fought to keep America a free country - even when no one else thought they should.
Right now, my brother John is active duty. He'd gone into the army out of college and became a Ranger. After his hitch was up, he then made his living variously as a stockbroker and a pharmaceutical salesman. Then September 11, 2001 happened, and he went to the recruiting office and re-upped. He's been active ever since, now at the rank of Lt. Colonel (or maybe Colonel - I'm sure someone will set me straight in the morning).
I missed his being commissioned, but my parents were there - very proud!
But John's not the only one in my family who has taken up with the armed forces - brother Andy also joined up on the GI Bill. He also became a Ranger. While no longer active, Andy still is proud of his service and in his heart is a Ranger everyday.
Once I got started thinking about family and serving our country, I realized that there are more of us.
My uncle Tom and his cousin Malcolm served in Vietnam. Tom doesn't talk about it much, but Malcolm embraced the Vietnamese people and their culture. He sponsors students and families and sends money to help out villages. He's taken numerous trips and volunteers in the Vietnamese community in his home town.
I can also count my stepson and his wife as veterans. Both served in the Army as well and met while doing so. They both spent time in Korea, but never saw combat. My daughter-in-law came very close to having to go to Iraq when the war just started, but she had a new baby and was discharged so she could be home with her.
Right now, my brother John is in Kuwait. I wrote about his impending departure last month and I am still impressed with his attitude about it all.
But as a family member, I know how it feels to have someone you love go out there into the unknown world where other people may shoot or bomb or otherwise seek to harm your loved one. It's a scary thing to carry about in your head. And there is absolutely nothing you can do about it but pray and trust that they know how to stay as safe as possible. And everyday, people all over this country have the same worries, the same concerns for the safety of loved ones in the combat zones.
Take every opportunity to say "Thank You!" to a veteran, wherever you might find him or her.
You guys are doing a hell of a job over there. Just come home soon.
23 comments:
beautiful post, wonderful tribute to your family members. Your brothers are very handsome men...you can tell how proud you are of them.
Wonderful post.
Come home soon and safe to your brother.
Great post. We do have a lot to be thankful for.
Very nice tribute to your family members! I second that come home soon!
I knew this was going to be a good opportunity for Fun Monday participants to remember their own family members and friends who have served. Sayre, your family has certainly done its share. How proud your mother must be of your brother John--it shows in that great photo of them.
Wonderful post. It seems that Veterans' Day has a special meaning for each one of us. Thank you!
I love the fact that protecting our country is a family affair for you! Thank you, thank you!
You sure do have a military family. That is something to be very proud of. Thanks to John for still serving and protecting. God Bless! Thanks for sharing
My gratitude to all your family members who have worked so hard to protect my freedom.
WONDERFUL!!!!
Mine's posted...scroll down to the last of my Monday blog. See you there.
As I "fly" from blog to blog, the string that weaves this tapestry together is one of patriotism and pride and faith and confidence and strength of character and love of family...
And yes, come home soon...safely. Our son-in-law is scheduled to return to Iraq in February for a THIRD time.
It seems so many blogger have family members who have, or are serving in the forces. We have to thank them, so much, for their bravery and pray those who are currently on tours of duty stay safe.
Great post! I have a nephew that spent 1 year in Korea and 1 year in Iraq. He is in the Army and had to find road side bombs. I'm glad he's back home.
I too did not know that there were so many in my family that had served our great country. God bless them all!
Yes there seem to be a lot of Family members who serve at one time or other and in many ways. But WOW two Ranger, that's not an easy and take some one very special, you should be proud.
Oh wow - Thanks to your brother, John!!! Your family has served our country well.
Wow, you should be very proud of your brother.
It must be a bag of mixed emotions to have so many of your family serving - pride, and worry I would think.
You must be very proud of them.
You know me -- totally supportive of our men and women in uniform. I just think it should be an every day thing, not just a once a year thing. Ya know?
Hugs!!!
wonderful post!
Amen! Thanks for sharing ;--)
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." Cynthia Ozick
Hugs and blessings,
Your post is the only one I really read with pleasure I found it very refreshing and not such old dusty stuff of patriotic phrases ! I am allergic to everything which is military. I always think without soldiers there would be no wars either, but that of course is utopic thinking !
Thank you for a beautiful post. My nephew was stationed in Iraq in 2006 - I remember avoiding news programs while he was there.
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