Remembering Our Brave This Veterans Day

A year ago I can remember my mother coming up from South Carolina and I took her into the heart of DC at The Capitol. We toured around the whole afternoon, saw the White House, Congress and so many other places. But I will never forget what I saw at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. As both of us silently walk looking over the thousands of names etched into that wall, reflecting a story of bravery and loss upon us.

We saw a few people huddled in front of us as we walked closer. Two men stood amongst them, a father and son with their hats proudly saying WWII Veteran and Vietnam Veteran . The father was so frail holding onto the sons arm as they slowly walked through the growing number of people to see the wall. But it wasn't because it was a busy day that there was crowding, these people were going out of their way to say thank you for serving our country. The father and son were so overwhelmed with emotion and both stood crying as people lined up to extended their hands and shake them with warm words and thoughtful hugs.

No one knew their story but everyone felt compelled to give thanks to these individuals who had served our country even in the backdrop of those who had given their lives and fallen proudly. Tears still well in my eyes at the sight I saw that day because you could tell that this touched both of their hearts for the service they had done.

So on day, Veterans Day 2010, To those Men and Women who stood in harms way to keep this country safe and our freedoms alive. Thank You for your service, bravery and sacrifice that you gave to this country and her people. I may have never served in the military but I, like so many others enjoy the freedoms that come with being apart of this nation. And I may not agree with the reasons why our government puts these brave but men and women into harms way but my respect and thanks goes to them all the same.

So today, please take time today to think about or thank these folks as you walk by who have sacrificed and served this country with pride and kept us safe.

All Gave Some, Some Gave All