Have you said Thank You to a veteran?

This is a "thank you" to all the veterans of any age for the time and personal sacrifice that you gave from your own life for the cause of freedom. In particular, I would like to thank the Viet Nam veterans who were not thanked when they returned home and have been waiting over 30 years for proper respect. One of these veterans is my husband who volunteered (not drafted) for service in the Viet Nam war.

Another group of veterans to whom we still owe a great debt of gratitude are the dwindling number of World War II veterans who gave their all for the cause of world freedom. One of those is my uncle who is now 90. This fall, he came to visit us all the way from the other side of the country and during an evening around our kitchen table, he opened up with stories of his service in World War II that I had never before heard. My uncle told story after story of what he did during the war. Perhaps it is because he is nearing the end of his own life, or perhaps the doors were opened when he was asked to be the Grand Marshall at his local Memorial Day parade this year. And yes, this is really his old uniform, worn proudly. THANK YOU.

Thank You

Today is Veteran's Day and I want to say "Thank you" to all veterans. Thank you for leaving the comforts of home to go to a hostile land where you may have had to live in primitive and dangerous conditions. Thank you for leaving your family for months at a time to fight to defend our freedom. Thank you for your bravery in the face of danger in far away places. Thank you for giving of your self so that people back home could be free to take your name in vain. Thank you for defending the cause of freedom in places that have not known freedom. Thank you for the sacrifice of jobs and your personal security so that those at home may be secure. Thank you for the sacrifice of your life and health so that others can enjoy the gift of freedom and democracy. Thank you for the times that you have missed precious times in the lives of your families- births, first words and steps, graduations, marriages and deaths-- while serving a greater cause.

There is another group on this day that I would also like to thank. Thank you to all of the families who have given so graciously of your loved ones. Some of them have been on loan to the country and the world, and others have been permanently given to the cause of freedom and justice for all. You have spent times alone and waited patiently for loved ones to return, sometimes in futility.

Whether you are a veteran of combat or a veteran of military service in peace time, I honor you and the sacrifice of years from your life so that a greater cause may be served. THANK YOU.