Veteran's Day

Late last night, I watched a program on our local PBS station called, "WWII: Alabama Remembers -- The stories, voices, and images of American heroes."

It was extremely well-done, and brought me to tears several times.  I couldn't help but think my dad ought to have been on that program, telling his story.  He was one of the infantry replacements who got sent right into the middle of what would become the "Battle of the Bulge." He was separated from the rest of his unit, but managed to find his way back to "friendly" lines ... unlike most of the men in his company, who were killed.  He did get hurt and was hospitalized, but he has never talked about that except to tell jokes.

And there was my great-uncle, who lied about his age so that he could enlist and fight in WWI; and then managed to convince everyone that he wasn't too old, so they let  him enlist again and fight in WWII. I wonder if he had trouble deciding which uniform to wear in our home town parades?

There are so many others from those generations, and more recent ones....  I hope they all know how much we appreciate what they were willing to do.

BTW, I remember my dad and his fellow VFW members selling artificial poppies that people could wear on their lapels for Veterans' Day. I don't have a pic of one of those poppies (the current ones are much simpler-looking), but they looked something like this real one:

The poppies were, and still are, made by disabled veterans:  http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=127

The poppies are meant to commemorate the soldiers who were lost overseas, and they recalled the poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D., "In Flanders Fields":
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/flanders.htm 

I'm sorry I didn't write this yesterday.

otter

Many many thanks to all of you and yours who have served in our military. I spent veternans day at a ceremony in our town in front of 2009 American flags that were put up in a "healing field" in honor of veterans. It was the most beautiful sight in the world. I shook the hands of many soldiers and told them thanks. It was the least I could do for what they have done for me. It was an amazing experience.

Oh and here is an anecdote. As  I was tying a poem onto the flag I had bought and dedicated to my 3 uncles who served in Nam, someone started playing taps. Next to me was a young man, who stopped and stood at attention, fighting to hold back the tears. I knew he must have been remembering his buddies. When taps stopped, I asked him if he was a veteran(he was very young) and he said yes. I then took his hand and thanked him, as I fought back tears. I told him to look at my poem because it was for him too. He started to read it, but walked away, very distraught. I guess it was overwhelming, but this field was indeed a healing field. If they every have one in your town, I hope you all will go. Here is my poem:

Dedicated to my beloved uncles,

and all those brave soldiers

who answered our country's call,

and served valiantly in Southeast Asia.

I will never forget you guys.

SOME HEROES

Some heroes boldly served their time,

When others would not stand in line.

Then came home

and were forgotten.

Some heroes bravely fought a war

Not knowing what they were fighting for.

Then came home

And were forgotten.

Some heroes never saved the day

But watched their buddies blown away.

Then came home

and were forgotten.

Some heroes answered duty's call

Their names aren't even on THE WALL.

They came home

and were forgotten.

Remember those who fought before

Open wide the welcome door

Honor what their fighting for.

Don't let them be

Forgotten.