Say a Prayer, and Then Say Thank You
Today is Veteran's Day here in the U.S. While I have many people running through my mind, the best tribute to those in uniform which I've read today is over at John's Online Journal. It is extremely poignant. Thank you, John Strain.
There is one young man inparticular in my thoughts today. He is one of my nephew's very best friends, and practically grew up over at my sister's house (which, incidentally, is right behind mine). He's in the Army and as I type this, is somewhere in Iraq. He keeps in contact with my nephew and relates to him what he can. He's already had a very close call with an IED (incendiary explosive device), wherein he and his fellow soldiers had to hide from the enemy for hours until rescue arrived. It sends shivers up my spine to even think about it. We all worry about him very much. But he is just one .... just one of thousands and thousands of men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, putting their lives on the line every single day. And he is one of thousands and thousands of others who did the same in other wars, fighting to keep our country and others safe and free. Remember them. Say a prayer for them. And if you see a veteran on the street or in a store, sitting nearby in Church or wherever you may be, stop and shake their hand and tell them thank you - and not just today, but ANY day you see them.
Now I would like you to meet some very special people:
The following stories, all completely captivating, are about three WWII heroes living right here in my town. Just looking at their pictures bring tears to my eyes and a swelling of deep gratitude to my heart. Please get to know these three amazing men ....
From Pearl Harbor to Tokyo
A Struggle to Live
Young Soldier Sees Horror of War at Dachau
(These stories are part of the Library of Congress project to collect as many veterans’ stories as possible. The project was headed locally by Dr. Jay R. Schaffer, associate professor of applied statistics at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. These men are dying at the rate of 1,800 a day, and the goal of this project is to preserve their heritage.)
