Thought For The Day on Veteran's Day

“No arsenal, no weapon in the  arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”

…President Ronald Reagan

 International Picture of the Year in 2007

 

Here are two very touching photos honored that honor our troops and their families

First Place: 

Todd Heisler, The Rocky

 Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James  Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the  family gather on the tarmac. During the arrival of another Marine's casket  last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the  scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those  Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that  they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said  'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that  Marine home. And they should.'  

Second Place

Todd Heisler, The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.'

God Bless America 

My family and I know that "Old Glory" does not wave by accident. We have lost loved ones to war; and luckily have many more family members and friends who served, but came home, therefore Veteran’s Day is very special.

Veteran’s Day is for remembering the sacrifices made by others - for us - for our continued freedom. But I believe the day should also be used to create new memories.

Having lost family to war and seeing the price that those who survived and all their families paid, I believe I am able to put this particular holiday in perspective. It is a day, in fact an entire weekend filled with activities throughout America, for us to accomplish two things: remembering and appreciating the sacrifice made by some and the ultimate sacrifice made by others and exercising those won freedoms in a way that creates fond memories with those we still have to love.

Veteran’s Day should certainly be more meaningful than simply a three day weekend or mini vacation, or an odd day off in the middle of the week (depending on your state and your situation). It is a sacred day of remembrance ...but it should also be a time for the living to celebrate each others company while time permits. I especially like to totally surround myself with family and friends on this day, or even on this entire weekend, to celebrate what we (still) have because of those who gave their lives.

Veteran’s Day was born out of the horror of wars and as a remembrance of all those who served. The purpose of this holiday may seem to be fading from some peoples' consciousness. Is it now simply a day off or a three day vacation? Somehow the original meaning of the day has been lost… even while we are a country again at war.

My family and I know that "Old Glory" does not continue to wave by accident. We take time throughout the Veteran’s Day weekend to remember the fallen. We go to the cemeteries and place the flags. Old Glory flies at half mast at home. We tell stories, some sad - some happy, about those that cannot be at our family party. We remember them with reverence.

Last words like: "Tell my family I love them. Tell them to live for me", spoken by a Cobra helicopter pilot as his bird was on fire and about to explode; sacrifices like years lost in captivity and enduring torture for all of us by troops like Senator John McCain; or unimaginable bravery by Michael Monsoor, who valiantly gave his life to save the lives of his fellow Navy Seals, touch our hearts as we share and remember.

So ...my family and I celebrate our freedom - and life. We live our lives together. We do this best by being together and enjoying great recipes and the food they create.

One of the things my family and I do is talk about how to support our troops today. We put together a "care package" or two or three or four. We send the packages to soldiers somewhere in this world. We don't care where they are stationed or what branch of the service they serve.

As one soldier wrote recently, "All soldiers need the simple knowledge of one thing...someone must want them to come home. If a soldier has that...they may be able to make it through anything!!!!"

After the package(s) are wrapped and sent, we do as ordered by our missing loved ones - we celebrate with food and beverage and memories - and we create new memories to be enjoyed forever. What a gift they have given us!

 

As President Bush said today from the deck of the USS Intrepid, now turned into a museum in New York Harbor, “Thank You for Standing Up!” when your nation needed you the most!!