Thank You

I had big plans for this Veterans Day post.  I really did.  I had planned to  upload a picture that my father had found of himself on the internet a couple of years ago.  He was reading something Vietnam related and saw a picture of a young soldier jumping out of a helicopter, whom he recognized as himself.  Crazy, huh?  He says he remembers at the time seeing a journalist out of the corner of his eye, but being that he was getting dropped off in the middle of the jungles of Vietnam, he had other things to worry about.

I was also going to include this great photo of my grandfather with his WWII buddies. It was taken out here in the desert before they were shipped out, and I have to confess that one of the reasons I was going to share it was so that you all could see what a bunch of hotties my grandpa and his friends were. But then I remembered the lesson that Back To The Future taught us all, and I realized that such statements could have serious repercussions. So I'll just say that it's my opinion that men of the 1940's were much better looking than men today and we'll leave it at that.

Wow.  So far this a really reverent and moving post. 

Anyway, I was going to upload those images and write about how proud I am of my father and grandfather's Veteran status.  But of course, I never got around to asking for the images.  

I know.  Me.  Not getting around to something.  Shocking.  

So, I'm relegated to just uploading a short clip of PG's speaking part at her school's Veterans Day performance.  She's the last one to speak and in case you can't understand my shy girl, she says "This government is of the people, for the people, and by the people, so you have to do your part!"  

I thought she performed it wonderfully.  

The whole program was, in fact, wonderfully done, but it was the end part (after my camera ran out of battery) that I really wish I had videotaped.  The teachers ran a slideshow of pictures that the first grader's families had sent in of their loved ones in service.  While the slideshow was running, the kids sang the following song:

When I lay my head down every night 

and I go to sleep in peace

I can stay there knowing all is well

while you're standing on your feet.

Keeping watch, protecting, shore to shore

In the air and oceans too

Defending freedom at all costs

For the Red, White, and the Blue. 

To the soldiers who have travelled on 

to countries far and near,

In peace and war you pay the price

For the cause you hold so dear. 

Thank you, oh Thank you

Men and women brave and strong, 

Because you've fought so gallantly

we sing this grateful song.  

Between the images on the screen and the sweet 6 year old voices singing the words above, there was not a dry eye in the house.   

The first stanza in particular spoke to my heart.  I've been thinking a lot, since becoming a parent, of how lucky we are to not know war on our soil.  We're spoiled, really.  I can't imagine that terror that would come with having bombs dropping around us and trying to keep our children safe.  For so many people in the world, that's a reality.  For us Americans, it's a blessing that we've made it this far without knowing that fear.

Thank you, to all the Vets out there. I know that I can never truly understand the depths of the sacrifice that you made for me and our country.  For every vet out there today who can not feel safe in a room without having their backs against a wall, who can't hear the sound of a helicopter without thinking about medics and body bags, who can't talk about what happened because it's too hurtful to remember, who lost brothers, who lost faith, or who are just haunted, I know I can't understand what of your life you've sacrificed for our country.  I can only say thank you, and hope that someday God gives you the answers to the questions you may be asking, and peace in your heart.

You all have a good night.