Veteran's Day ~ 2008

Veteran’s Day 2008

As a member of the ‘baby boomer’ generation, the elections behind us and wondering where the future will take us, one thing remains unchanged… the dedication our men and women in the Military have for this great nation of ours. They are our sons and daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and our neighbors. They come from different walks of life, all fifty states and don’t ask very much of us, just our support until they all return safely. Some have already paid the ultimate price… their lives.

I have visited all the Memorials in Washington, DC as most of you have and sat in deep thought before the Vietnam Memorial where names of friends are etched in the cold black granite. Trying to comprehend what these young men and women endured was impossible. The World War II Memorial is another that holds a special place in my heart as my dad stormed Omaha Beach at 19 years of age. There are thousands of names on one and thousands of bronze stars on the other representing those that did not return in exchange for our freedom and that of our allies. So many times I’ve tried to imagine what it must have been like for my dad and the friends I lost in Vietnam at such a young age. Today I am one of the co-founders of Heavens Heroes offering support to our troops and the families of our fallen heroes as they deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, trying to make a small difference in their lives. I often wonder where their Memorials will be built and if they’ll have to wait decades to be remembered and thanked.

My respect and gratitude for Veterans past, present and future runs very deep, for their dedication to our country is endless and unquestionable. Our freedom is fragile but the bravery and efforts of our Veterans strengthen and preserve it. Veteran’s Day should be a time of reflection, a time to thank our military, to try and comprehend where they have gone, what they have done and the sacrifices made to keep our country free. This does not require us to be Republican, Democrat or Independent, for the war or against it. All that is necessary is to let our troops know that they have our support.

As the daughter of a D-Day Veteran and a member of Heavens Heroes, I thank each one of you for your service and loyalty in keeping this a great nation. God bless all of you!