Monday is Veterans Day here in the US ...
A day to honor those who have given their all for the rest of us.
This year, Veterans Day is much more poignant for our family than ever before. My dad, a WWII soldier, is living out his final days at the Veterans Administration hospital in Portland after a major stroke.
What he went through for our freedom he only started talking about just a few years ago. He was a paratrooper in WWII. He was held as a Prisoner of War after being captured, and endured torture, sickness, cold, starvation and the deaths of his buddies. He lived with the scars, physical and emotional, for his entire life; even while forging a new life ... falling in love, building a house, and raising a family.
He never forgot.
And neither should we.
They say if you can read, thank a teacher.
I say if you can read in the language of your freedom, thank a soldier.
I will miss you, Daddy.
I will never forget your sacrifice.
And the sacrifices of ALL veterans who made it possible for us to live free.
SALUTE.
this is such a poignant post.
ReplyDeleteI hope your father's final days are at least peaceful.
Amen and Amen. Sissy--you are a born writer. Your words make me cry. Wow. Love you always and ever.
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