Last night, my son laid in the bed crying because his stomach hurt. We were there to comfort him until he drifted off to sleep. This morning, my other son woke up throwing up, and I was here to take care of him. Needless to say, we are all sharing a pajama day at home today...and we are able to make that choice. For that, we thank you.
My granddaddy, Pa Fred, was a veteran of the United States Air Force, and his career was his badge of honor until the day he died. The picture above is from his funeral. Because his funeral was two days before Christmas, they didn't know if they would be able to locate a full honor guard....but they did. For that, we thank you.
These young men and women changed their own holiday plans to accommodate the grief of our family. As the three-volley salute pierced the air, I couldn't help but think of how terrifying those sounds must be when your life is hanging in the valance. As they handed the folded flag to his wife, their tears fell along with our family's. For that, we thank you.
I see people wishing one another a Happy Veteran's Day today, and I can't help but think that happy is such an ill-fitting word for the occasion.
There's nothing happy about two little girls crying themselves to sleep because their daddy is deployed...again.
There's nothing happy about the spouse back home that refuses to watch the news because she doesn't need any commercialized headlines to fuel the fire of her fears.
There's nothing happy about a young man with his whole life ahead of him being extinguished in the line of duty.
There's nothing happy about a veteran that can't close his eyes without reliving the agony of combat.
There's nothing happy about a parent being forced to bury their child, no matter how noble the cause.
So today, I hope that we all share a reflective Veteran's Day.
Today, I hope that we all share an appreciative Veteran's Day.
Today, I hope that we all share a prayerful Veteran's Day.
And for the right to do so, we thank you.
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