veterans day

For many people, today is just another reason to have a door-buster sale at some mega shopping center. I hate that. Others get discouraged because there is no mail service today. That highly discourages me.

Today is Veterans Day, for crying out loud. What have you done today to thank a vet (besides post an appropriate status change on your Facebook page)?

(Whoops.....I just got off the phone with my own favorite veteran a little while ago, and I was busy ranting and raving about my frustrations from the day that I completely overlooked telling him Happy Veterans Day. Time to pause typing and punch in a quick text message.)

And then I change the television from Nick Jr. to the tv guide channel, searching for something not so juvenile. There are countless military-related movies and documentaries on tonight. Not that there's anything wrong with those, but this disappoints me, too. Why do we as humans tend to compartmentalize holidays like this into just one day? We do, however, expect to see the Christmas trees and Santa-inspired chocolate candy on the shelves of Wal-Mart the day after Halloween, so why can't we honor our veterans all year long instead of just for 24 hours?

Last June I made yet another unfulfilled statement to my husband. I told him that I wanted to write a book, and that I was going to start that summer. Being the true encourager that he is to me,he did all he could to convince me that I should start the very next day. You see, this isn't the first time I'd discussed with him this desire. But this is the first time this specific book topic came up, and he could tell how passionate I was about it. If there is one thing that saddens me about this world, it is this: when our veterans die without having their own stories and experiences told, part of our history dies with them. Lost forever. My own grandfather served during the Korean War. If you asked me about his story, I could probably fill the space of one minute. Shame on me.

The plan was for me to go to a nearby nursing home, once a week, to work on interviewing one specific veteran that I had already spoken with last Veterans Day. That was the plan, anyways. Guess how many trips I made there during the summer. Sad but true, that book idea still floats around in my head. Shame on me.

So what have I done today to thank a vet? Well, I did post an appropriate blurb on Facebook (it does seem to be the thing to do, you know). But I actually did just a tad bit more in the means of celebration yesterday.

One of the events at school that I tend to throw my heart and soul into is the school's Veterans Day program. It's really turned out to be quite the to-do, and I am quite proud to say that I am the genius behind it. Around 30 veterans were in attendance for the program, and they are the single reason that I put so many hours into the planning and organizing of this event. Our school janitor was one of the veterans that was honored yesterday, a man who tends to quietly do his job at school without ever needing or wanting the approval of others. I secretly spoke with his boss to ensure his presence at the program, since he's the type who'd quietly slip out if we'd let

him. After the program, I have a reception for the veterans, where they can fellowship with one another along with my 8th graders, who interview the veterans in an attempt to get their stories on paper. This man was there, on his way out the door, when I stopped him. I thanked him for coming, for being courageous enough to receive this well-earned recognition. With tears in his eyes, he squeezed my hand. Words were on the tip of his tongue, but his eyes said it all.

That, folks, is why today is important, necessary, and essential every single day of the year.

One more spout from my heart tonight, and then I'll give my soapbox a rest for the evening. On Veterans Day (and every other day), don't forget those strong families that are behind those brave veterans. They are often a silent, driving force, deserving of a "thank you" all of their own.

Happy Veterans Day