Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Veteran's Day

Yesterday, I hit the stores because, after all, it was Veterans Day.

I believe it is a sad state of affairs that Veterans Day's most visible signs happen to be "20% Off Sales" signs. I watched the morning news, and their comment was about Veterans Day is that "traffic would be light in the morning."

I heard a quote by George Washington that said something about caring for the veterans. That a nation needs to care for their veterans in order to be secure. I have looked and looked for the quote, but can't find it at this time.

One would think that there would be more associated with Veterans Day. More since we have more than 100,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen in harm's way. More since we have a president who puts them in harm's way.

I am not one for big public celebrations. I mean, for me, a drive to St. John the Baptist Cathedral to light candles for the veterans I knew is the way I prefer to mark the day. I mean, in a couple of weeks, who is going to remember that new sweater? But the veterans' sacrifices should be remembered for all times.

7 comments:

Tim said...

I believe this might be it. "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."
-George Washington
I came back in 1971 from a war I didn't want to be in and felt lost. I had a brother that didn't make it back. If everyone took a moment to light a candle and just think about the sacrifices made, the night sky would be a blaze of fire. thanks for the light.

Ian Lidster said...

I couldn't agree more. Nicely expressed.

Deb said...

I'm gonna have to agree with Ian. Couldn't have said it better. Love the way you put things in perspective!

Anonymous said...

Speaking for veterans everywhere, we prefer head over lit candles, but I won't press the issue as you're not Asian. :p

How's the word count going?

- Grant

kathi said...

Point made, and made well at that. :)

Prata said...

And here I thought that the young who volunteer to possibly called into war would care more about not being lied to and not killing people that haven't actually done anything to them, but what have I ever known. ;)

Veterans are like everyone else, only with permission to go kill a few people because someone told them them it really needed to be done or when you go home there might not be any home to go back to live in. Blech.

Tim said...

Prata.... I don't remember the word "volunteer" being in the letters we received.