Remembering Veteran’s Day

First, before I get to the thoughts swirling through my mind. Before I share excerpts from my last 24 hours. Before I thank all of those responsible for the opportunities afforded me in Canada yesterday. First, I thank the Veterans this Veterans Day. For without them, many, if not all of my daily routines, activities, and luxuries may not exist at all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

1inawesomewonder

This morning is Veteran’s Day. In Canada it’s Remembrance Day. In my home we are honoring, remembering, respecting, and we are thankful for our Veteran’s, past, present, and future.

I am home with my three youngest children this morning and I want them to know what this means, and why we remember. A few minutes ago, my son came into the office and asked if I had just heard Theodore yelling. I said I had. He asked me if I knew why he was yelling so loud. I did not. He shared with me that the Star Spangled Banner had come on the TV in the family room, and that Theodore, on his own, sang “…of the brave” as loud as he could to end the Anthem.

A minute later Theodore pulled up a rocking chair beside me, and in the presence of his older brother, twin sister and I…

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Remembering Veteran’s Day

This morning is Veteran’s Day. In Canada it’s Remembrance Day. In my home we are honoring, remembering, respecting, and we are thankful for our Veteran’s, past, present, and future.

I am home with my three youngest children this morning and I want them to know what this means, and why we remember. A few minutes ago, my son came into the office and asked if I had just heard Theodore yelling. I said I had. He asked me if I knew why he was yelling so loud. I did not. He shared with me that the Star Spangled Banner had come on the TV in the family room, and that Theodore, on his own, sang “…of the brave” as loud as he could to end the Anthem.

A minute later Theodore pulled up a rocking chair beside me, and in the presence of his older brother, twin sister and I; he demanded silence as he attempted to sing the National Anthem on his own. It was adorable as he repeated a few lines here and there that were combined with other lines, but he gave it his best shot. He also knew that all should be quiet while he sang the song.

Then I played Madison Rising’s version of the Star Spangled Banner (which we all love). We played it a few times. Jacqueline held a little rhythm and pretended to sing the words, and we all enjoyed it, together.

But, more importantly, we recognize that among the reasons we have a morning like this to enjoy at all, is because the greatest forces of men and women in the history of mankind have defended our freedoms and beliefs. They were the best, they are the best, they will be the best. Most of us truly don’t have a clue as to what these brave men and women have endured, braved, and walked towards even when every fiber of their being would tell them to run the other way. For them, for all of them, I, we, are thankful. I wouldn’t even want to imagine it another way.

Our military, our armed forces, these fellow countrymen and women continue to do what is asked of them, day after day. Right, wrong, agreed, or disagreed, they go. They take each and every day seriously, and assume nothing. They go. They train. They are there. There are here, now. They are the best, and they still walk in harm’s way everyday. This day is not just about a time long ago, it’s about all times. It’s about times we haven’t yet experienced. It’s about times we are fortunate enough to not have experienced. Today is as important now as it would have been at any other time, or at any other time to come. A friend of mine who is very close to our military, recently made a comment to me after attending three military funerals in one day, to the effect of, wishing people understood how much warring is still going on. I don’t know which affected me more, the commentary itself, or the fact that this person (and so many others) deals with this kind of thing more often than a lot of us stop to even think about our men and women serving.

It’s Veteran’s Day. It’s Remembrance Day. Please take this time seriously. Mean what you say. Say what you mean. Either way, always remember. Always respect. Always be thankful. We have so much to be thankful for.

I have included below, a poem that came to me two years ago. I know it’s not the best verse ever, but it’s tied to strong emotions. I really did wake up in the middle of the night with most of the words to this little poem. Obviously, these thoughts are never far from my mind. It’s not the first time I awoke in thought on these matters, nor has it been the last.

REMEMBER
Remember more often, remember with others aloud

Remember more than today, remember they should feel proud

 

Remember to thank them, remember that is for always

Remember to be respectful, remember not just holidays

 

Remember we have no idea, remember they have been there

Remember our freedoms; remember they walked where most don’t dare

 

Remember that there are triggers, remember they relive then

Remember we have a place, remember we can love, we’ve never been

 

Remember heroes, do remember; remember time spent is a prize

Remember we can help them; remember to look into their eyes

 

Remember they didn’t always know why, remember they went on call

Remember some disagreed; remember them, not one, but all

 

Remember how we live today; remember it could have been a different way

Remember our men and women, remember them, embrace them today

 

Remember that memories don’t end; remember we must pass this on

Remember those serving today; remember all, not just those who are gone

 

Remember every day, remember, certainly, on this Veteran’s Day

Remember our place; remember we’re thankful supporters in every way

Remember – Memorial Day

This weekend is the unofficial American kick-off to summer. With the weather we are getting here in the Northeast, it feels like summer already. It’s Memorial Day Weekend. So, without further adieu, I will get to the point. As we get together with friends and family this weekend and enjoy the extra day off from work, please take a moment (or several) to remember why this weekend is so special. This holiday is defined by many as, “a day, the last Monday in May, on which those who died in active military service are remembered.” Imagine, or better yet, try not to imagine what this weekend, or what any day might look like, were it not for the amazing men and women who gave their lives for the greatest country on the planet. They are among the biggest reasons why the USA is the land of opportunity. This weekend, so many of us kick back, relax and enjoy the many freedoms we take for granted in the first ten minutes of most days. I don’t want to forget those who have, do, and will give their lives for the country I am so proud to be from. I remember. Please remember. This weekend and every weekend could be so much different, so foreign, were it not for these folks who paid the ultimate price. This weekend is a Memorial to the thousands who paved the way for the lives we lead now. Remember them.

I wrote about this subject last Veteran’s Day and I have posted the poem (below) that woke me one night last fall and had to be written down.

Remember

Remember more often, remember with others aloud

Remember more than today, remember they should feel proud

 

Remember to thank them, remember that is for always

Remember to be respectful, remember not just holidays

 

Remember we have no idea, remember they have been there

Remember our freedoms; remember they walked where most don’t dare

 

Remember that there are triggers, remember they relive then

Remember we have a place, remember we can love, we’ve never been

 

Remember, heroes to remember; remember time spent is a prize

Remember we can help them; remember to look into their eyes

 

Remember they didn’t always know why, remember they went on call

Remember some disagreed; remember them, not one, but all

 

Remember how we live today; remember it could have been a different way

Remember our men and women, remember them, embrace them today

 

Remember that memories don’t end; remember we must pass this on

Remember those serving today; remember all, not just those who are gone

 

Remember every day, remember, certainly, on this Memorial Day

Remember our place in this; we’re thankful supporters in every way

America’s Wars

WORLD WAR I

(1917 – 1918)

Total Service members (Worldwide)………………..4,734,991

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….53,402

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)……………………63,114

Non-mortal Woundings……………………………………204,002

Living Veterans…………………………………………..0

WORLD WAR II

(1941 – 1945)

Total Service members (Worldwide)………………16,112,566

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………..291,557

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)…………………..113,842

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….670,846

Living Veterans…………………………………………….2,079,000

KOREAN WAR

(1950 – 1953)

Total Service members (Worldwide)………………..5,720,000

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….33,739

Other Deaths (in Theater)…………………………..2,835

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)…………………17,672

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….103,284

Living Veterans……………………………………………..2,507,000

VIETNAM WAR

(1964 – 1975)

Total Service members (Worldwide)………………..8,744,000

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….47,434

Other Deaths (in Theater)……………………………………10,786

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)………………32,000

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….153,303

Living Veterans…………………………………………….7,569,000

GULF WAR

(1990 – 1991)

Total Service members (Worldwide)………………..2,322,000

Battle Deaths………………………………………………………….148

Other Deaths (in Theater)………………………………………..235

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)……………………..1,565

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………………..467

Living Veterans…………………………………………..2,246,002

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

(2001 – PRESENT)

The Global War on Terror, including Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom are ongoing conflicts. For the most recent statistics, please visit the Department of Defense Website:

http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/ gwot_component.pdf

While I get lost in the numbers from these wars, I try to remember what these numbers represent. I try to think on those times and the feelings that rippled through America at each of these times. This is why history is so important to me, it’s not about just the event, or the headline, but also about the mindset at the time, the circumstances in play while decisions were being made. Hindsight almost always clears the picture, but it also loses the frame the picture was taken in. That’s where people come in. I have said, and will say many more times, its people who make the world go around. This relates to history as well. People lived through these times, through these fears, through these emotions, and they are the resource we can learn the most from. Why did they do as they did? What was the feeling? Ask. Just ask. OR Read. I read a lot of books on baseball history and the icons that make those memories sparkle for so many of us. Some of the more memorable things I have read in numerous books, is the effect of war, and the emotions tied to it, on baseball and our country at that time. People remembering, sharing the experience. So important. Context is huge.

So today, remember those who serve, those who have served, and learn all you can. Be there for those who are still here but lost someone so we could be free. As we get to Tuesday and complain how fast our extra 24 hours off passed by, think about the hours our fallen heroes spent defending our freedoms. Think about how long a single hour may have felt to them and the thousands of questions and thoughts that must have raced through their minds. Think about the fact that so many never were able to experience the next hour, let alone 24 extra hours. Respect them and those they left behind. Remember. In this day where so many feel they’re entitled to something, to anything, it’s our fallen heroes that are entitled. They’re entitled to be remembered, to be respected, to be thanked, and to be honored. That fun weekend you are experiencing now would likely not be possible if the brave hadn’t defended our home. Remember and have a memorable Memorial Day Weekend.

Remember

I woke up in the middle of the night earlier this week with the shell of this poem. Somehow I think it was better at 3am in the dark, but I hope you enjoy. It’s unfiltered emotion.

Remember more often, remember with others aloud

Remember more than today, remember they should feel proud

Remember to thank them, remember that is for always

Remember to be respectful, remember not just holidays

Remember we have no idea, remember they have been there

Remember our freedoms; remember they walked where most don’t dare

Remember that there are triggers, remember they relive then

Remember we have a place, remember we can love, we’ve never been

Remember heroes  too remember; remember time spent is a prize

Remember we can help them; remember to look into their eyes

Remember they didn’t always know why, remember they went on call

Remember some disagreed; remember them, not one, but all

Remember how we live today; remember it could have been a different way

Remember our men and women, remember them, embrace them today

Remember that memories don’t end; remember we must pass this on

Remember those serving today; remember all, not just those who are gone

Remember every day, remember, certainly, on this Veteran’s Day

Remember our place in this; remember we’re thankful supporters in every way

This next paragraph is some information I came across while reading through The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide. I found this was useful information.

“While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11, Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.” – The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide

This next area is also pulled from The Veterans Day Teachers Resource Guide.

America’s Wars

WORLD WAR I

(1917 – 1918)

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)………………..4,734,991

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….53,402

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)……………………63,114

Non-mortal Woundings……………………………………204,002

Living Veterans…………………………………………..0

WORLD WAR II

(1941 – 1945)

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)………………16,112,566

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………..291,557

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)…………………..113,842

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….670,846

Living Veterans…………………………………………….2,079,000

KOREAN WAR

(1950 – 1953)

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)………………..5,720,000

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….33,739

Other Deaths (in Theater)…………………………..2,835

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)…………………17,672

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….103,284

Living Veterans……………………………………………..2,507,000

VIETNAM WAR

(1964 – 1975)

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)………………..8,744,000

Battle Deaths…………………………………………………….47,434

Other Deaths (in Theater)……………………………………10,786

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)………………32,000

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………….153,303

Living Veterans…………………………………………….7,569,000

GULF WAR

(1990 – 1991)

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)………………..2,322,000

Battle Deaths………………………………………………………….148

Other Deaths (in Theater)………………………………………..235

Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)……………………..1,565

Non-mortal Woundings…………………………………………..467

Living Veterans…………………………………………..2,246,002

GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

(2001 – PRESENT)

The Global War on Terror, including Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom are ongoing conflicts. For the most recent statistics, please visit the Department of Defense Web site:

http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/ gwot_component.pdf

While I get lost in the numbers from these wars, I try to remember what these numbers represent. I try to think on those times and the feelings that rippled through America at each of these times. This is why history is so important to me, it’s not about just the event, or the headline, but also about the mindset at the time, the circumstances in play while decisions were being made. Hindsight almost always clears the picture, but it also loses the frame the picture was taken in. That’s where people come in. I have said, and will say many more times, it’s people that make the world go around. This relates to history as well. People lived through these times, through these fears, through these emotions, and they are the resource we can learn the most from. Why did they do as they did? What was the feeling? Ask. Just ask. OR Read. I read a lot of books on baseball history and the icons that make those memories sparkle for so many of us. Some of the more memorable things I have read in numerous books, is the effect of war, and the emotions tied to it, on baseball and our country at that time. People remembering, sharing the experience. So important. Context is huge.

So today, remember those who serve, those who have served, and learn all you can. Thank as many as you can. We have so much to be thankful for. Certainly one thing, this Veteran’s Day, Remembrance Day, and approaching Thanksgiving Day, to be thankful for, is the freedom we enjoy each day. There’s millions of people to thank. Start today. Remember.

A look ahead

Looking ahead to tomorrow I will have a Veteran’s Day themed post. I have thought on this often over the years, and I hope you will enjoy it. I have always liked the Veteran’s Day holiday since I was a kid, primarily because I don’t want those folks ever to be forgotten. We take so many things for granted, our military certainly should not be one of those things.

Thanksgiving is just two weeks from today! It’s hard to believe it’s that time of the year again. 6.5 weeks to Christmas, 7.5 weeks to the New Year. It flies by! I really do enjoy the weeks starting with Thanksgiving and running through New Year’s Day. I guess it’s because I had so much time with family over those weeks while growing up. I certainly have a lot of memories surrounding that time frame. I am sure I will be sharing some memories of the Holidays with you all over the next several weeks. My favorite time of the year.

I leave you with a question. Which of these is your favorite Holiday?