As we enter the last day of our Project Valour-IT fundraising competition, it’s important to remember that today, Veterans Day, is about those men and women who, in Abraham Lincoln’s word’s, “gave the last full measure of devotion” to their country and those who survived this nation’s wars to tell us the tales.
I love Veterans Day. In ceremonies throughout the land, in schools where vets sit down with our young kids and tell of the sacrifices made to keep our land free, and in senior homes and care facilities where our old warriors remember the brothers they left behind in places like Anzio, Normandy, Khe Sahn and even Mosul, Veterans Day is about remembering and honoring the sacrifices made to keep democracy alive.
Veterans Day is not just a day off work so you can hang your Christmas lights or be inconvenienced in someway because banks and the post office are closed. Remember the true meaning of this holiday. Seek out any veterans you know or that you can find and thank them for their service to our country. Veterans never look for this kind of praise, but I know it really does them good to hear it. If you don’t know a veteran, check out your local VFW hall or Legion hall.
And for those of you who did serve, today is the time to proudly wear any gear you have that signifies that, a campaign ribbon, a hat, a t-shirt. In the age of Obama, it’s important to remind all Americans just how many of their friends and neighbors have been on the front lines to keep them safe.
Below is the thermometer from Project Valour-IT. As you can see the Marine Team has achieved our goal of $35,000. In fact, we have exceeded it! Today is the last day of the fundraising competition and the last day to give to this effort. Please, for the veteran you love, give today. All funds raised go into the same Valour IT account and are used to assist any wounded service member in need of Valour IT’s support, regardless of his or her service branch.
Again, thanks to all our veterans on this special day, for your service and your sacrifice. We salute you. It is because of you that we are free.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Great post Cathryn ! Whenever I see a man in uniform I do say ” thank you for your service”. I don’t see many woman in uniform so I can’t recall thanking a woman for their service, plus I am less likely to speak to a stranger if it is a woman.
I am sadly reminded, having grown up in the 60’s how shabbily our Vietnam Veterans were treated by many upon their return. That should be a source of shame to those that treated them like that.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I don’t know if it’s ok to post links to youtube, but, this is one that I watch every day, called the return, about a soldier returning to his family:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beRKxHSTQhM
November 11th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Thanks for all you do and to the businesses who offered free meals to veterans today. I love hearing nice things people say about us. It is wonderful, because I remember the sometimes hostile welcome I and others received upon our return to the United States around 1970.
I saw a Marine and I said “Happy birthday to the corps,” and he replied “Semper fi brother.” I had served four years in the Air Force, but we who have served are all brothers and sisters.
Thanks again.