I was walking to the train at 5am yesterday and passed our towns Korea and Viet Nam memorials. I usually drive in and rarely have the opportunity to be at that place alone in the serene pre-dawn light.
At that moment, alone in the dark, I felt overwhelming gratitude for not only the veterans of those two conflicts but for all the brave men and women who have answerd the call for all the wars our country has been involved with. I got a bit emotional reflecting upon the hardships endured by most and the ultimate sacrifice made by many to whom I am eternally indebted for providing me the privilege of living in this amazing country. I slowly walked by their monuments silently saying thank you to them and to God for the good fortune and blessings experienced daily by me and my family.
We were on what turned out to be an overnight job and I walked past that reverent site again 22 hours later on my way home from the station. This time, so tired with my legs on fire (my 59 year old bod ain't what it used to be), I said hello to them again and felt ashamed about being in their presence feeling bitchy that I still had to "walk" a mile or so back to the house after the long shift.
All of a sudden I realized it was Veterans Day and I wondered if maybe it was not just a coincidence I happened to be there on this particular day?
Thank you to all of you special folks who have done and continue to do the heavy lifting on our behalf. Maybe it sounds corny, I dont care, we owe it ALL to you.
