For Our Veterans

via Valley Citizen

I don't remember anything about celebrating Veteran's Day when I was growing up.  I'm sure we must have talked about it in class at school, but it wasn't a big deal.  Here, in our little town, Veteran's Day is a big deal.  Every year my children practice from the first day of music class for this day.  They learn all the patriotic songs.  They learn about the divisions of the military.  They write thoughts about freedom, they draw pictures about freedom and write letters of thanks to our veterans.

On Veteran's Day each school hosts a special program for our veterans.  The veterans have a place of honor in front of everyone.  The children sing and speak.  Then we listen to the words and experiences of one of these good men.

My favorite part and most poignant part of each program is the playing of taps.  For as long as we have lived here this man, Dale Marcum, has played taps for those who never came home.  He plays it with his son Tom and even after the last echoing note dies out I still feel it vibrating in the room.  It makes me cry every time.  I feel for the men and women whose lives were cut short.  Even more I feel for the families who never welcomed them home.  Today as taps was played at McKay's school the veterans all stood, pulled off their hats and saluted.  Some of them looked to the flag, but many of them looked to heaven.

Too often I forget the cost of freedom.  I forget how much I owe the men and women who fought for our freedoms and the freedoms of those around the world.  I forget the broken hearted mothers, wives and children.  I forget their sacrifice.  I'm grateful for this gentle reminder every November.  I'm grateful for the freedoms I enjoy because of them.  I wish there was really some way to say thank you that meant something.  They may never know, but tonight my heart is full of thanks for all they have done to keep me and my family free.