Count on me to be a day late with my own personal take in remembering the first Veterans Day in a hundred years to have the date 11/11/11.
As with any speech or presentation, one starts with the "thank yous" to the individuals responsible for one's being in the position to give said speech or presentation. So here goes.
First, I'd like to thank my Dad. If it wasn't for him, I truly wouldn't be here. (That goes double for my Mom, but since I'm writing about veterans, I'll have to save thanking Mom for Mothers Day).
Dad joined the Army Air Corps in WWII and served as a Mechanic, working on B-29 Stratofortresses.
He probably got a nice tan on Guam, which was a major base of operations in the Pacific for the long range bombers my Dad kept in the air.
Next in line are my uncles. My uncle Norman, one of my Dad's older brothers, served in the United States Army and fought at the Battle of the Bulge, if my childhood story memory is correct.
My uncle Joe served in the U.S. Navy in WWII as well. He worked in the morgue, if memory serves, preparing those who sacrificed everything for their last trip back home. He was one of my Mother's older brothers. My Uncle John, my Mother's oldest brother, served in the U.S. Army as well in WWII. He was a cook. When he came home on leave he would bring home gifts like sugar and flour, which were greatly appreciated since much was given up on the home front for the war effort in those days.
We must count our blessings that we give up very little for a war effort nowadays, except for those who have family in harm's way. No gas lines or rationing of basic supplies here any more.
My Uncle Gerald, who married my Dad's only sister, also served in the Army in WWII.
Another brother of my Mother was too young for WWII but served in Korea in the U.S. Air Force. Thank you, Uncle Frank.
My Father in-law, also named Frank, also served in the Air Force between Korea and Vietnam. It was the beginning of the Cold War years. A few of the peace time stories he has told also spoke of some cold weather in remote mid west air bases! Thanks for keeping guard, Frank.
Then in my generation there was my older sister, Pam. She joined the U.S. Marines right out of high school. This decision was right out of left field for my parents. She re-upped after getting out for a few months following her first hitch. I think the first hitch was four years and the second six, or vice versa. I was only around 12 years old so I don't recall.
Then she got hitched to another Marine. The Marines look for a few good men. She found hers.
Which brings me to another same generation veteran, my brother in law Paul. Thank you, Paul, for your service.
One of my cousins had a stint in the Marines, also. Thank you, David, for your time in the uniform.
And Tommy, I appreciate your service in the Air Force.
I have a number of current and former co-workers who have served. Brooks Rose, my thanks go out to you, Marine. Hooah.
Josh Lehmann, I don't know what you did to talk the Army into taking you, you crazy Cajun, but thanks to you as well. Capt. Theresa Sommers, U.S. Army, (and your husband as well), I appreciate your service to our country, doing multiple tours abroad, particularly these days.
To my former Team Lead, Gary McDonald. I might have been too young to really appreciate your service in Vietnam when you were serving, but I certainly do now. Thank you for coming home safe and being a great boss.
Rick Alvarado, U.S. Army, thank you for your time away from your family and your sacrifice. I'm glad you came home safe, too. Rick is married to a former co-worker of mine who, last I knew, was working for Homeland Security.
There may be a few others I haven't mentioned here, but if the lateness of the hour has suppressed my memory of names, forgive me.
As I sit here in my military theme decor home office writing this blog, I look around at the ammo crates I purchased at a local Army/Navy store some years ago that I used to build my desk, shelves and wall cabinets. I gaze at the photos and posters of various military aircraft I have framed and hanging on the wall. I glance up at the camouflage netting "curtains" draped over an old Army tent pole that is resting on old bayonet handles I've mounted to the wall as if they are stuck in the wall itself. I look at these things and wonder just how many sons, husbands, daughters and wives carried these pieces of equipment and supplies and speculate who flew those aircraft over the years that I now admire in these frames. I wonder if they came home to the welcoming arms of their families and spouses or...if they did not. I wonder if any of the ordnance that sat in these wooden crates stopped an advance of an enemy or if they were just used in a training exercise.
I do know one thing. I like Veterans Day. I like that we set aside a 24 hour period to pause and remember the men and women who have served and continue to serve. I know in these times I think about them more than just one day a year. Heck, I usually think about them at least a couple times a week.
To all of those whom I have mentioned above,
Thank you.
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