random
Veteran's day always makes me somber and reflective. Six years ago today I was experiencing my Veteran's day at my grandfather's funeral. He was a veteran of two wars, WWII and Korea. I miss him. It was a typical cloudy, rainy day, which somehow seemed fitting. I can still picture the graveside service in intimate detail, the soldier playing taps, the jolt when I heard the gun shots. When I was growing up my grandparents lived next door. Every morning before school my brother and I would go over to their house until it was time. He helped my parents build our house.
He's the reason I love the cubs. He grew up in Chicago. He was a bee keeper in his later years, I always associate honey with him. Sometimes I see things that remind me of him, and I smile. I wish I could pick up the phone, hear his voice once in a while. Every year on veteran's day, I say a silent thank you to him and his comrades in arms.
I also can't help but think of all the people in our history that have gotten that awful knock on the door. A soldier in dress uniform on the other side, "Ma'am, we regret to inform you..." Then the people in charge of bringing the soldiers home, the journey watching over a casket as it is unloaded at Dover. The long, slow salute to their fallen brethren. presenting the flag to the family. Attending the funeral, coming in contact with other veterans. Survivors who knew too many that weren't as lucky.
Now more than ever I can't seem to block out these images. This week in Iraq more than 11 soldiers died, 3 were stationed or from Washington. One was 19 years old. I'm older than this kid. I think of all the hopes and dreams I have, of all the hopes my parents have for me and can't imagine what his parents are dealing with right now. I look back at all the wars fought in the past and cannot understand why we would, how we could, send troops into danger so easily.
He's the reason I love the cubs. He grew up in Chicago. He was a bee keeper in his later years, I always associate honey with him. Sometimes I see things that remind me of him, and I smile. I wish I could pick up the phone, hear his voice once in a while. Every year on veteran's day, I say a silent thank you to him and his comrades in arms.
I also can't help but think of all the people in our history that have gotten that awful knock on the door. A soldier in dress uniform on the other side, "Ma'am, we regret to inform you..." Then the people in charge of bringing the soldiers home, the journey watching over a casket as it is unloaded at Dover. The long, slow salute to their fallen brethren. presenting the flag to the family. Attending the funeral, coming in contact with other veterans. Survivors who knew too many that weren't as lucky.
Now more than ever I can't seem to block out these images. This week in Iraq more than 11 soldiers died, 3 were stationed or from Washington. One was 19 years old. I'm older than this kid. I think of all the hopes and dreams I have, of all the hopes my parents have for me and can't imagine what his parents are dealing with right now. I look back at all the wars fought in the past and cannot understand why we would, how we could, send troops into danger so easily.