special people - veterans day

One really doesn't understand the price that has been paid for our freedom until you run your fingers over the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.! It's staggering as the names run much higher than your fingers can reach and further than your eye can see. The grave yards are full and the monuments continue to be built by countries all over the world.

However, this holiday is not for the dead but the living - veterans who survived the wars and now live among us.

Have you ever talked to a veteran? They are PROUD and PATRIOTIC and love their country. Both my mother and father served our country in World War II and were/are fiercely loyal to their country - they care about politics, issues, government. They sacrificed many years of their lives to serve their country in a time of war. They have an active interest in what happens to the future - for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Many years ago, the phone rang. I was a busy mother of 7 kids and had little time to hangout on the phone and more than anything else, I disliked phone salesmen - with a passion! This particular day there was a man's voice on the other end - yep, you guessed it - selling something! I was very impatient at first, in fact, I seriously thought about hanging up on him! As he continued to introduce himself he said he was a disabled Vietnam veteran making a living by the things he sold over the telephone. In this case, it was light bulbs. He was so happy - in a joyful-kind-of-way! I asked him what happened to him in Vietnam and he said he was missing both legs. Despite his lot in life he seemed to have a contagious, happy voice - full of life. Well, I have to tell you I stocked up on light bulbs that day! Before I hung up I said, "Thank you for your call today - you made my day! It was a pleasure to visit with you. In behalf of my children and myself, I want to THANK YOU SO MUCH for the sacrifice you made for us - to keep us free and safe!" There was no response - it was totally quiet on his end! Soon, I could hear his voice trying to choke back emotion - I was surprised. Why? Then the answer came as he unashamedly cried and said, "THANK YOU, thank you so much. No one has ever said that to me before - no one has ever thanked me! I hope you enjoy your light bulbs. You made my YEAR!"

Since that day, I make it a habit of THANKING veterans when I see them in uniform. I think that's important and I wonder many times if I would have the courage to do what they did?