If you are a veteran, THANK YOU.
If you know a veteran, THANK THEM.
I am so very proud of the Veterans in my family. Among those still living, my Daddy (Korea),my uncle and the father of my 2 children (Vietnam),my cousin Tim (Iraq).
My Daddy was drafted during the Korean Conflict, but was sent to Berlin,Germany. He was a member of the famed Berlin Brigade "Gators". He worked as a guard at Spandau Prison where German WWII POW's were held.
This is my very handsome Daddy.
I spent an afternoon a couple of years ago listening to his memories. I knew he was stationed in Germany, I just didn't know the details. I am so very glad I took the time to ask. That part of history will live on in our family.
It saddens me to think of all the details, bits of not only family history, but American history, that died with my grandfather, a WWII Veteran. He was there when they took Berlin.
Talk to the veteran in your life. Record their memories and pass them along.
To all our Vets...we honor and thank you for your service to our great country. You are the reason we can proudly say: Land of the free and home of the brave.
I saw this on a web page the other day:
IF YOU CAN READ THIS,THANK A TEACHER.
IF YOU CAN READ THIS IN ENGLISH,THANK A VETERAN.
MORE THAN A NAME ON THE WALL
I saw her from a distance
As she walked up to the wall
in her hand she held some flowers
as her tears began to fall
and she took out pen and paper
as to trace her memories
and she looked up to heaven
and the words she said were these...
She said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
just one more time you see
All I have are the memories
and the moments to recall
So Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..
She said he really missed the family
and being home on Christmas day
and he died for God and Country
in a place so far away
I remember just a little boy
playing war since he was three
But Lord this time I know,
He's not coming home to me
And she said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
But I know it just can't be
So I thank you for my memories
and the moments to recall
But Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..
Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall..
In 1986, I shared a hospital room with a dear,dear lady Jewish lady that was born in Germany. She spent nearly 3 years in a Concentration Camp during WWII. At the end of the war, only her and a brother,out of a family of 6 survived.
A gentleman with a rather large family had been admitted late one night. Miss Elsie was certainly not the shy type and before long had engaged several members of the man's family in conversation and discovered that he was a WWII vet. Her eyes puddled up with tears and she asked his son if it would be okay to just drop by and say hello. He agreed and said he would be back later to escort her in and make an introduction.
A couple of hours later he returned for her. As she slipped on her housecoat she asked if I would like to go also. I held to her arm as we followed the man down the hall and into his father's room.
Without waiting for an introduction, Miss Elsie walked up to the man's bedside and placed her hand over his. She told him her name, the town she lived in and the concentration camp where she lived for nearly 3 years and that her and a brother were the only survivors.
Then she said something that I will,NEVER,EVER forget. Not just the words she said, but the way she said it:
"Thank you.Thank you.Thank you. From the bottom of my heart,thank you.God bless America." With that she leaned down and kissed his hand. Turned around and walked out.
Freedom isn't free.
Later Ya'll...^Belle^
