Mom Blog Network – What Moms Are Talking About

michelle lamar posted 26 weeks 4 days ago —

Today is Veterans Day.  People don't seem to remember this holiday anymore.  I  am sure I sound like an "old lady" with today's rant but it's a subject I feel very strongly about.

I have some very special people in my life who served in the military. 

My father, who passed away in 1992, was a WWII Vet.  He'd never been out of the state of Texas when he joined in the Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941.  He was sent to Pacific to fight in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.  My dad was in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal to name a few of the battles he was in.  Dad was a reconnaissance photographer...he flew behind enemy lines and took pictures so the bombers knew where to attack.

One morning he was supposed to go out on a mission (he was the captain of a crew of photographers) but he had a terrible flu with a high fever.  His chief forced him to stay back that day.  On the day that my dad stayed back, all 7 of the men he commanded were killed in battle.  My dad always told me that every day he lived after that day "was a bonus, a gift".  My dad was a very special and wonderful man who lived his life as if it were a gift.  He did it because he felt that way and he did so because he wanted to honor his friends who died.

When he was found to have terminal cancer in 1991, he was very peaceful, calm and optimistic.  He told me he would fight the battle with cancer but he was not afraid of death.  He said that all the time he got after the war was such a gift..he just couldn't be sad about dying of cancer at age 70.

One of special friends and a wonderful mentor is my former client and lifetime friend, Bill.  A crazy Irishman (much like my dad) he was in one of the most brutal battles of the Korean War, the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.   The Korean War is often called the "Forgotten War" because it happened so close to WWII.   People were still too raw and too hurt from the Second World War to really give some of these brave men and women the honor they deserved for their sacrifices.  In the last few years, I have seen more information about the Korean War and about the "Chosin" battle and I've been glad to see that more people are taking notice of some of these heros.

My friend Mike, a Marine, was in the Special Forces for years.  Mike is a gentle giant and humble dad to three wonderful kids.  He never talks about his time serving his country but when I visit Mike (who is married to one of my best friends in the world, Laura) I am reminded of how grateful I am that there are guys like Mike and women like Laura, who also served our country and who put themselves on the line to protect all of us.

Here is my point.  My dad, my friend Bill and my friends Mike and Laura put their lives in danger to protect the lives of others and to keep our country safe.   My dad, like the other members of the "Greatest Generation" and other vets, saw unspeakable horrors and went through hell and back.  Then my dad came home to start a family, get a job and have a "normal" life.   

With the war in Iraq, it's very easy to be critical of the war.  I am not trying to get into politics here but no matter what you feel about the war or why we are there----all of us should pray or meditate regularly for those brave people that put themselves in harm's way for their country.   Support the troops and thank them and their families, whenever you can, for their bravery.

Happy Veterans Day.