The Eleventh Hour

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.  That’s when the peace treaty that ended The Great War was put into effect.

It sounds very dramatic, doesn’t it?  And why shouldn’t it have been?  World War 1--because there was an even greater war to follow--was the worst fighting that had been seen, and to reach the end was the most momentous event in the then-modern world.

This is why we celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11.  Remember, veteran’s day is to honor the living who have served or are serving in our nation’s military.  Memorial Day is when we honor those who have passed.  

We owe so much to our soldiers, and it only takes two or three seconds when you see a veteran to look them in the eye, shake their hand, and say a simple “Thank you for your service.”  That’s it.   

Nothing dramatic there.  At least not to us who give the thanks.  I think, however, that there is immense drama to the soldier receiving the thanks.  

These are our men and women who were and are willing to risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, our citizens, and our freedoms.  Saying thank you seems like so little for such a significant risk, but truly it is deeply meaningful to them.

Military service is a long and proud tradition in our family on both sides.  Captain’s Grandpa Brogan served at the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II.  He came back with PTSD, although no one knew what that was back then.  Still, he went on to raise a family of five and build a successful farming operation.

Captain’s mom has a sister-in-law who served her career in the Air Force all over the globe from Texas to Korea.

My dad, three uncles, and Big Brother all served, all during peace times but served nonetheless.  A nephew is currently a lieutenant in the Army.  

Big Brother served in the Army in Germany while I was in high school in the 1980s.  He was honorably discharged the year Captain and I got married.  

Three years later when the Persian Gulf war started, I remember being absolutely terrified that he would be called back to active duty...which doesn't sound very patriotic now that I say it.  Thankfully, he was not, but he would have answered the call if he had been.

Today as the sun shines, the breeze blows, and the birds sing...do not miss the opportunity to thank our veterans.  Without them, their service, and the sacrifices of them and their families we wouldn’t be able to say we live in the greatest nation in the world.

And we do.  

So thank you, veterans everywhere, and God be with you in all your days.  

Images used:

http://enjoyfestivals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Armistice-Day-Wishes.jpg

https://cdn4.dogonews.com/images/fec30948-adbb-4ba2-be22-13f629de5d1e/veterans-day-image.jpg

http://www.veteransday.quotesms.com/images/happy-veterans-day-poems.jpg

http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/IB/28141-cc_ArthurAshe_VetDay.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BokjSQyIUAA-WSd.jpg