One mother’s story of how Veteran’s Day impacts her today -God Bless you and your family Kate
Posted on Nov 11th, 2011 
11.11.11 Veteran’s Day.
My e-mail is filled this morning with marketing pieces for Sales. I saw one that said Happy Veteran’s Day. (I struggled to connect the dots between Happy and Veteran’s Day.) Lacking a personal connection, for some today is just a day off; a federal holiday. Others think of the date as pretty cool. It’s a palindrome; a number or word that reads backward and forward the same way.
The significance of the number eleven for me is that it represents the number of tours of duty our sons have served in the Middle East.
Operation Storm Arab Emirates Barry
Operation Storm Kuwait Joel
Operation Iraqi Freedom Michael, Barry, Glenn
Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 years later Glenn, Barry
Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan Barry, Michael
Operation Enduring Freedom 2 years later Barry
2011 NATO drawdown Barry currently serving in Afghanistan
For millions of families, today is a day to count the personal cost of military service.
We spent a year telling our 6 year old granddaughter that her dad was in Louisiana. She was old enough to be aware of war. She knew about Afghanistan. She would have worried. I try to be thankful for the sacrifices my sons have made but selfishly I sometimes wish that they would have chosen a different career. But whose son or daughter would have served instead? We are grateful that they have all returned safely.
They follow a proud family tradition of service. Veteran’s Day has always had a face for me.
Dad. Marines WWII. Battle of New Britain. Pacific theatre.
My Mom. Marine Corps Washington DC WWII. She’s still a tough old bird.
My Step Dad of 38 years, Retired Lt. Commander Navy. WWII. Korea.
My brother Chuck. Army. Vietnam 1969.
My brother David. Army. Peacetime. 1976-1980.
My nephew Sam. Currently Army. Training for Afghanistan.
Rob Chrisman, The Stratmore Group, said it best, when he counted the cost.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag.
“Dad… Mom… Chuck… David… John… Mike…Joel… Barry… Glenn …Sam…reluctantly, today I celebrate your sacrifice .” -Kate Wilson
