This morning as I began my daily routine of making every day special: I thought about standing next to my father at the Veteran’s Day ceremony at Veterans Park.
My mind began bursting w/images from Hollywood movies like Pearl Harbor, Time magazine covers & Molly the riveter. I remembered the America of my parents & the great depression they lived through. Times must have been tough but they all seemed so calm, sticking together in support of our troops.
I decide to dress like a WWII war bride. I feel a little tingle relating my long distance love affair w/that of hundreds of American military wives. As an Army brat I’ve always known that duty & work come first. We were always there when our men came home. So I picked out what I felt would be the perfect outfit.
My dad said he didn’t get the parades or support they did in WWII but he’s just as proud. He stood shoulder to shoulder w/Korean War vets that sharedhis comments. As I stood watching all the vets from all walks of life I realized that they are the best & bravest of us all.
One of my tenants stood next to my father & told him what a good girl he raised. Still in uniform he tipped his hat at my mother as it was announced that he had served in Afganistan, was a military recruiter & was on his way to Iraq the new year. 3 Realtors from the office, retired yet too used to work to rest, stand tall as they represent our new generation of Veteran. A female officer no more than 29 addresses the croud to let them know, “I was proud to serve & I’ld do it again. That’s all I have to really say.”
I realize they are part of an invisible nation. Patriots who work & toil but ask for nothing in return. I didn’t realize the other 3 men working in my office were heros of war. Never before have we been so honored to be surrounded by so many men & women who have seen war & death and survived.
Veterans young and old gathered together today near a small lake under a moss covered mighty oak tree, honoring the men & women that built our country.
