On Saturday night, we went to “welcome home” for a very special group of men and woman.
Their day started very early in the morning, they were in the air by 6:00 AM.
They spent the day in Washington, D.C.
They had the younger soldiers give them their salutes.
They saw the graves of their fallen comrades.
They saw the memorials, the wall, the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
On this particular flight there were 160 veterans, guardians, and volunteers.
Of all the things they saw – the common sight that was the “best” - was the crowd cheering, welcoming them home, thanking them for all they’ve done.
In our case, the welcome home group was made up of…
His wife, their children, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren.
Never in my life, have I been more honored to be at an event…or more sad.
I was so happy that my Dad’s Dad – My Grandpa was able to make this flight. That he was willing to go, and physically able to make the trip. That he was able to see the community come together to thank them for their service… 6 decades later.
But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking they are missing a veteran, one that would have been just as honored to go. My other Grandpa should have been on that flight too. He like so many others died a few years or in one man’s case 10 days too soon…
Please don’t let another veteran die without them knowing how much you appreciate living in this country, to have the freedoms and rights you have come to expect. You don’t have to agree with what they are fighting for, heck, they might not agree with it, but they were brave enough to take the job they were given and follow through. They spent time away from their families, their wife, and their children. They had the courage to do, what so many of us do not.
Right or Left… honor the soldier, don’t let all the blood that has been spilled, all the lives lost be for nothing… don’t give up your rights, your freedoms… protect them, hold them close.
It’s the highest form of honor.
11:46 am
Excellent post. Had my eyes sweating a little. I have had the honor of having some fine, gentle men sitting in my dads living room and talking about the horror they witnessed. Marines with flamethrowers in the Pacific island hopping. Army guys in the Pacific and Europe (one who liberated one of the Nazi prison camps) and a Navy guy who operated mike boats in both theatres. They are all gone now, but they were my hero’s back in the day. I’m glad your granddad got his reward. What happened to the video?
12:34 pm
Yeah, that is so cool. Ryan’s grandpa just did that too from the central iowa group. It was amazing to hear about and so thoughtful of Hyvee and others to honor them like that.
tamara b´s last blog ..Small Town
5:22 pm
What a wonderful post
Twisted Cinderella´s last blog ..Not Me Monday
6:04 pm
Coffeypot – I have no idea what went wrong – I put up a different photo.
6:07 pm
Tamara b – It was an honor..
6:46 pm
Amen.
And God Bless.
phinz´s last blog ..RIP Henry Gibson
6:50 pm
Thank you!
6:59 am
Thanks for the reminder.
Shannon´s last blog ..Sneaking Up
7:42 am
Now I’m crying. It’s easy for me to cry when it comes to Vets and such ever since Stephen left for, and came home from, Iraq.
Thank you for your gratitude
5:09 pm
beautiful… this is just beautiful..