While running in the Marine Corp Marathon, we ran through the National Memorials. It was unbelievably impressive! We also took the night tour through the Memorials and it was chilling.
World War II Memorial
Korean Conflict Memorial
Vietnam War Wall
Korean Conflict Memorial
Vietnam War WallToday is Veteran's Day. My earliest memory of Veteran's Day was selling Poppy's as a Girl Scout in front of the old Post Office in my hometown. Dressed in my uniform with my badge sash, I sat at a table and sold Poppy's to everyone that came by. It was an easy sale-such a small price to pay to honor all of those that had given their lives for our freedom.
My Daddy served in the Army during World War II in the European theater as a Master Sargent. He never spoke of the War in my presence. There were medals and battle ribbons in his top drawer of the dresser and an Army issue revolver in the drawer. Tokens of a time that he probably would have preferred to forget. Away from home and family for years, the toll on him and our country were great. All for the sake of our freedom. I am glad we speak English and not German today.
My Uncle Bruce served in the Korean Conflict while serving in the Air Force. He never spoke of that time in my presence. He came home and had a family with the bride he married before being shipped overseas. He worked for Eastman all of his career in the lab, even creating new patents for the company. He served our country with no complaint and served it well. I am glad we speak English and not some Asian dialect today.
My peers served in the Vietnam War. An unpopular war with no notoriety for serving. Most of the young men that I know that went to Vietnam do not speak of it. It was a difficult time for our country and those that were called to serve. One I went to school with had his picture in "Life" magazine, but he did not come home-well he did not come home alive. I am glad we speak English and not another language today.
The young men of my children's age have been called upon, yet again. We are fighting a war against those that wish our way of life to be destroyed. There are those that hate America and would like to take over our world or at a minimum cause death, destruction, and fear to rule the day on our streets. The ones that serve-serve well and make us proud of our next generation of heroes. I am glad we still speak English and hope we always will.
Thank you to each generation of Service men and women. Thank you for serving while facing great danger and even death. Thank you for insuring the freedom I have each and everyday. Thank you for your personal sacrifices and giving parts of your life so that we might all sleep well at night. Thank you to all of The Heroes we honor today-Veteran's Day.
7 comments:
i never knew your daddy was in the war. how interesting. what are poppy's?
Ditto Ann's comment.
very sweet! Well said.
Oh and I didnt know you did the Marine Corp Marathon! My dad & his running group also do that race. (well my dad only once - everyone else does it every year) but he said it was such a fun race.
Your photos brought back some great memories of that race! I KNOW that was my very favorite..and one of the best road trips ever (guess that would be an "air trip").
I remember the poppies!! When Mama passed away, and we were going through her stuff, I actually found some that she had received from her contributions over the years--and kept. (Maybe in honor of Daddy's service to the country??)
Anyway, your Veteran's Day "tribute" was great!
Goose Creek Buddy
Very well said, Mrs. Lora! I think this day gets looked over way too much!
Very cool post.
daddy used to tell me stories of grandpa in the war. he loves to watch, read or see anything wwII and i think i know why.
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