Try to take a moment out of our busy lives to remember what today really is. I was listening to Roger Hedgecock on the radio today, and one of the callers said something that reminded if a story. My Grandfather, whom I spent much of my childhood growing up with, was born at the onset of WWI. He served in and lost an eye and nearly a leg in WWII. One year, on Veterans Day, my Grandmother asked him where he wanted to go for dinner. He was always a grumpy ol' teddy bear, and didn't like much of the hoopla that went on for Veterans Day. He was complaining about this and that of the day, and so I asked him what he wanted for Veterans Day. I was about 9 or 10 at the time so naturally I was thinking a new bike, or a video game right.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> . It took him a moment to answer, and when he did, it didn't really make any sense to me then. It does now. He said he wanted someone to say "thank you". He said people took it for granted that people like him would always be there. That most people really didnt' understand what Veterans Day is all about. He was the only father figure I had ever really had growing up. My own father was killed shortly before I was born, and my mother was in and out of abusive relationships then. Why I spent most of my time with my Grandparents. I worshipped him just as any young boy would his own father. So I naturally did what I thought would make him happy. I ran up to him, hugged him around the neck and said "Thank you Gran'pa." At the time, I had no idea the impact of what I had said, I had no idea why he cried for one of the few times (at least that I ever saw) in his life. I just didn't get it at the time.
Now I know, now I "get it". We celebrate and have t.v. specials like "Saving Jessica Lynch", and we have parades, and most people get the day off. Even my kids don't have school. We all relish in how patriotic we are by "celebrating" on Veterans Day. But when was the last time someone went up to someone in the military, former or current, and said thank you. Thank you for risking it all so that I could be here to celebrate today. So that I would have the right to take today off. So that I could take the time, have the right, to just sit here and post a simple message on this forum. When was the last time YOU said "thank you". Since and including the revolutionary war, over 2 million American soldiers have given thier lives for their country. From the revolutionary war, the War of 1812, the civil war, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and many other armed conflicts involving the U.S. armed forces. Over 2 million. When was the last time you sat quietly to yourself and said thank you to those fallen soldiers for the freedoms you have today? Said thank you to the families, who had to endure being seperated from thier loved ones while they were away. In many cases waiting for a loved one who will never come home. Celebrate today, celebrate it for the right reasons. Not because you don't have to go to work or to school. But because we are free. Enjoy the day off, enjoy the parades. But remember why we are celebrating. Take the time, if even to yourself, quietly in a room, and say thank you. Thank the men and women who are currently serving, thank the individuals who have served, thank thier families, thank the fallen heroes whose name sits on that black marble wall in D.C.. Thank those whome no memorial rests for except maybe a small stone piece in the ground. I have no current living family members that are serving in any of the armed forces. But I will none-the-less, say my own thank yous'. As will my children and my wife. It doesn't have to be someone you know. Tell a complete stranger. Does it really matter that you don't know them? They were willng to give it all for millions of people they didn't know. It's only two little words, so simple, so powerful. Only takes a second. So to all of those here at the forum who are serving, in any respect in any of the armed forces, and to those whome have family that is serving...From me and my family...Thank you. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to decide where I want to go to work, or in my case (nobody laugh) remain a stay at home Dad to be with my kids. Thank you for securing my freedom to say what I want, when I want. For the freedom to demonstrate publicly and peaceably when I think our government is wrong. Thank you for the security to be able to just sit on my front porch, being able to watch my 3 young sons play ball, tag, etc..., and know that they are, for moment, safe. Thank you.
MTD
P.S. It just occured to me that I only metnioned the U.S. armed forces. I know many of our posters are from other countries and I want you to know the troops who have and do serve your respective countries have earned and deserve the same. I repsect them just as much for having the courage to protect those they love.
P.S.S. The lovely Mrs. Rohde believes, and I agree, in this post 9-11 time that we should also take the time to thank those fighting a different kind of war here at home. So to all the police officers and firefighters and other organizations that work so hard and put themselves in harmes way to keep us safe here at home...Thank you. Per her request I am putting in a link to web-site devoted to the police officers and firefighters who gave their lives on that tragic day. It's a flash movie, watch it to the end. I found it over a year ago and still brings tears to my eyes.
http://www.fdnylodd.com/BloodofHeroes.html
