Veterans Day: 11/11/11

This nation will remain the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the brave. (Elmer Davis)

One day this past summer, my husband was in a restaurant in Magee, Mississippi, and saw a couple of servicemen having lunch. He walked over to their table and expressed his thanks to them for what they do, and told them he wanted to buy their lunch. They were very appreciative, and one of the soldiers ripped off an Airborne patch which was "velcro-ed" to his sleeve, and gave it to my husband.

He said it had been all over the world, including his tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He and his friend were headed to Camp Shelby in South Mississippi. The patch is prominently displayed on the bulletin board in our office, and I often wonder where those soldiers are today.

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of the men and women who, in defense of our freedom, have bravely worn the uniform of the United States. Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service.

I recently drove my mother and dad to the Veterans Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, for Daddy's yearly checkup. While they were checking out, I went out and brought my car around to the entrance to pick them up, and as I sat there in the car waiting for them, I watched the steady stream of veterans and their caretakers coming and going.

Some were in wheelchairs, some had noticeable limps or other visible disabilities, but all of them had one thing in common — they were there because at some point in their lives they had served their country and were still living with the injuries or disabilities they incurred as a result of that service. My dad was in the Navy during World War II, and his greatest sacrifice was his hearing, which was permanently damaged by the noise from the planes he worked on while stationed at Corpus Christi.

I wished I could personally thank each and every one of those veterans I saw at the medical center that day for the sacrifices they made and for the hardships they have endured — for their sense of duty and love for their country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

I would also like to remember with sincere gratitude our servicemen and women (like the ones my husband met in the restaurant) who continue to risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless their families here at home.

In Honor of Our Veterans

This nation will remain the land of the free, only so long as it is the home of the brave. (Elmer Davis)

On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who, in defense of our freedom, have bravely worn the uniform of the United States. Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service.

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

On a personal note, I would like to thank my dad for his service in the Navy during World War II. His greatest sacrifice was his hearing, which was permanently damaged by the noise from the planes he worked on while stationed at Corpus Christi. Thank you, Daddy — we love you.

I would also like to remember with sincere gratitude our servicemen and women who continue to risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

Veterans Day Tribute 2009

I think "Taps" is one of the most beautiful, albeit heartrending, songs ever written, and I couldn't think of a more fitting song to use for this slide show commemorating our veterans today.

I wish I could personally thank each and every one of them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country. May God bless and keep them and let them know how much their service is appreciated.

I would also like to remember with sincere gratitude our servicemen and women who risk their lives every day to keep America out of harm's way. May God protect them as they protect us, and bless them and their families for the sacrifices they make for us.

And may He hold close and comfort the families of the victims of the recent shootings at Fort Hood, and let them know that they are in the hearts and prayers of Americans everywhere.

I hope you enjoy the slide show. Be sure to turn your sound up so you can hear the hauntingly beautiful strains of Taps echoing in the background, performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Band.

"Taps"

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, scouts must go to their beds,
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

Taps was composed by Union Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general. Butterfield wrote the tune at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, in July 1862.