Pastor’

In 1951 I saw my first Veteran’s Day parade.  It didn’t make much sense to an 8-year-old to see soldiers marching by in the mistyPuyallup,Washingtonweather. Most were probably veterans of WW1, since I remember them as being “old.”  I asked my dad what this all meant.  He leaned down to talk to me and I saw the glistening in his eyes of unshed tears.  This moved me, then he explained to me in a choked voice, that these were men who had served and fought in the U.S. Army, and it was because of them that we enjoyed our freedoms.  I was impressed! I saw these men with different eyes!  All of a sudden, they were my heroes!  You know something, I’m somewhat older and many more wars have been fought and I know that all of those men I saw on that fall day are all dead; but my dad’s words live on with me.  I get choked up and my eyes glisten as I see my heroes march by.  The last WW1 vet died not too long ago and we are losing the WW2 vets at an alarming rate.  Other wars have created other veterans, but they all have done the same for us; they have kept our country free.  During the month of November I challenge you to honor a vet with something more than words.  Send a card to someone you know; if you are at a restaurant and see a person in uniform, pay their eating bill.  Who knows, it might be the last meal that family will ever have together.  We need to honor these people in any way we can.  That’s what Veteran’s Day is all about.  It is okay to shed a tear or two and it is okay to have a lump in your throat; after all, they are ready to give their life for our freedom.  Let’s honor them!