I am thankful for

I am thankful for our Veterans. What does that word bring to mind as you say it?  For me, I immediately think of my Papa.  Veteran of WWII.  He has told many stories about what he saw, the things he experienced. His memory now fading, I wish that I would have asked more questions about his time serving our country. Without the men and women that have served our country, I wouldn't have the freedom I have.  I thank God that I am able to worship the way I choose, dress the way I choose, speak when I feel the need (which is sometimes too often!).

I remember listening to my talk about the attack of Pearl harbor.  His stories about being a sniper.  I remember thinking as a young teenager how cool that not all of the soldiers were chosen to be snipers, but my Papa, just a good 'ole country boy, was chosen for that job.  I laugh as I remember him talking about the "pretty women", and hearing my Granny say, "Oh, Fred...hush no one wants to hear that foolishnes!"  As we celebrate our veterans today, I am grateful that WWII did not take my Papa.  I would have missed out on a very special man in my life.  

Then there is my uncle who served in Vietnam.  We've all heard the horror stories from this war. My aunt has told me about the letters she received from my uncle. The stories he tells can really outdo any thing a text book or movie could imply. Just a young man, small town guy, fighting a war... for us.  As a young child, I didn't understand why he only had one leg.  As I became older, I realized he lost his leg for our freedom.  The older I became, the more appreciative I became for the pain and agony he has endured since coming home from Vietnam. My aunt, God bless her for her devotion to him. She's been by his side for as long as I can remember.

Our local news reported that 130,000 U.S. veterans are homeless.  Why can't our country help the men and women that put their life on the line so that we could have our freedom of speech, our freedom to come and go as we please??  We can support the man or woman that has been on welfare for years on end, while they take no initiative to find a job and continue to let the system take care of them. But then we have this brave person that fought for our country that lost their job or whatever the case may be and oddly enough they are the ones that end up homeless.  Something is very wrong with this picture, do you agree??  Yahoo has an article this morning regarding the significance of November 11, being Veterans Day.

I am grateful for the veterans, all of them.  The old, the young, the fallen, and those that are still in the service fighting each day for our continued freedom. They need our support. Whether you agree with the war or not, the men and women that are on the battle lines need our support.  They deserve our thoughts, our prayers, every ounce of support we can offer.  If you know a veteran today, or if you are out and about and pass someone in uniform be sure to thank them!!!