Tuesday, November 11, 2014

First Thanks of November

I always think of November as my quiet month.  A lull before the crazy busy month of December.  And I'm all for that!  However, it's also a month of thanks.....like today.  It's the first thanks of this month. A big "Thank You!" to our Veterans.  Thank you for serving our country. Thank you for putting your life on the line. Thank you for giving up time with your family to protect our freedoms.  We have the opportunity to think quite a bit about  being thankful this month.  We take a special day at the end of the month to celebrate it....although the media would have you believe it's just a pit stop to fuel up with turkey for some big shopping sprees!  So today I hope you took the time to say thanks to anybody you know who has served our country.  A few weeks ago I was sitting in a doctor's office filling out papers, not really paying any attention to those sitting around me.  That is until a young man approached the couple sitting across from me.  The teenager quietly apologized for "bothering" the gentleman sitting there with his wife.  He said "Sir, I just want to thank you for serving our country".  He then shook the man's hand and turned and left.  I hadn't noticed that the older man had a hat on that said he was a Vietnam Veteran.  I was so moved by this younger boy who took the time to do that.  Something I hadn't even thought of doing since I wasn't paying any attention....bad me!  But I was so happy I witnessed the sweet tribute given.  I hope we can be as attentive and not shy about approaching those who have, or are, serving our country.   Thank you from my family....Thanks to my own family members who served.  My sweet Dad and my wonderful brothers.
I don't have any service pics of my brothers, but I have a few of Dad.  So proud of you guys!  I think my friend "Maxine" says it all:
You can say that again! I salute you all!

11 comments:

acorn hollow said...

much better than the welcome the soldiers coming from Vietnam got for sure.
I hope over time we make it up to them.
Cathy

Shady Del Knight said...

You are so right, dear YaYa! Veterans Day is a holiday but sometimes people forget the meaning and purpose behind holidays like this one. Your story about the teenager walking over and thanking the Vietnam vet is surprising and heartwarming. It's something we should all remember to do. Don't hold back. Thank a soldier or veteran and do it today. You'll both feel great afterward.

My goodness, your father looked like Robert Goulet! Clearly you emerged from the deep end of the gene pool, YaYa. That explains your beauty. You are also beautiful on the inside where it counts. Thank you for this important and thought provoking post, dear friend, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Nonnie said...

What a handsome fellow your Dad was! I am very grateful to all our service men and women. They deserve much better than they receive and I'm very touched by the story of the young man thanking the veteran. When my husband wears his Airborne cap, he gets comments too. It always makes him proud!

Kim said...

That is such a sweet story. I'm sure the man was touched deeply.

joanne said...

Thank you for sharing such a sweet story with us. Thank your family for their service and thanks that we live in a country where all the Maxines can happily have a voice.

betty said...

I agree with the commenters who said your dad was a handsome man! I am so thankful for those that have served and are serving! How neat too with the youth thanking that man for his service. Good lesson for all of us I think!

betty

Julia said...

Your dad sure was a handsome man and such a nice smile. I think you got your smile from him and I think you got his look. You're so pretty.

In Canada we celebrated Remembrance Day while you celebrated Veterans'Day. People gathered at the cenotaphs in record numbers this year across the country. It's a good sign.

We have so much to thank them for.

Hugs,
JB

Rick Watson said...

Great post Yaya. I did have a chance to serve, but there were those who had a much harder time than me.
We owe our veterans a debt that can never be repaid.
R

Kay G. said...

We can never say thank you enough to our veterans!
I did the same thing to a Vietnam vet recently when I saw his cap, and he looked at me with such gratitude with tears in his eyes. I was glad that I had the courage to speak to him!

Hilary said...

A very nice post of gratitude. That teen's parents must be awfully proud of their boy. He's got good stuff.

rjerdee said...

Yes, so good that a young boy can reach out...I'm shy about it but I do extend my hand and say, "Thank you for your service!" The guys are always to gracious about it.