Veterans Hospitals
Several years ago, I went to the Veterans Administration hospital with my father-in-law. We were spending a lot of time there - and to be honest when I left the house, it was just another appointment. This visit was quicker than most though and when we came downstairs to wait for my son to bring the car around, a man just seemingly appeared before me.
I never saw him come through the door - probably because I wasn't looking - but the logical mind says he had to enter that way. Pushing a wheelchair before him, he backed it into a corner to stabilize it before turning to sit. Glowing with a smile the size of Texas, he commented on the weather and then asked if we had taken part in any of the Pearl Harbor Commemorations. Shaking my head "no," he continued saying he was a part of a group of survivors who go to an adult daycare center in the area. Speaking about Pearl Harbor, his mood changed dramatically, but his eyes were still bright and beautiful behind long lashes.
Our exchange was short. Too short. He was a man I would have liked to have had a conversation with and gotten to know. His memories burn bright and his loyalty strong, even though age was taking its toll.
There are many more men and women - modern soldiers -in uniform today - with the same loyalty beating within their chests. They wear the uniform out of patriotism.
They do not wear the uniform to fight. They wear the uniform to spread freedom and stop the outrageous treatment of fellow human beings.
During the Vietnam war, protesters spit on returning soldiers. Today, history has repeated itself. Protesters are once again spitting on soldiers serving at the behest of their government.
Protest the war. Write your Congressman, but don't spit on patriots. Tell them thank you for providing the blanket of safety you sleep soundly under tonight.
I never saw him come through the door - probably because I wasn't looking - but the logical mind says he had to enter that way. Pushing a wheelchair before him, he backed it into a corner to stabilize it before turning to sit. Glowing with a smile the size of Texas, he commented on the weather and then asked if we had taken part in any of the Pearl Harbor Commemorations. Shaking my head "no," he continued saying he was a part of a group of survivors who go to an adult daycare center in the area. Speaking about Pearl Harbor, his mood changed dramatically, but his eyes were still bright and beautiful behind long lashes.
Our exchange was short. Too short. He was a man I would have liked to have had a conversation with and gotten to know. His memories burn bright and his loyalty strong, even though age was taking its toll.
There are many more men and women - modern soldiers -in uniform today - with the same loyalty beating within their chests. They wear the uniform out of patriotism.
They do not wear the uniform to fight. They wear the uniform to spread freedom and stop the outrageous treatment of fellow human beings.
During the Vietnam war, protesters spit on returning soldiers. Today, history has repeated itself. Protesters are once again spitting on soldiers serving at the behest of their government.
Protest the war. Write your Congressman, but don't spit on patriots. Tell them thank you for providing the blanket of safety you sleep soundly under tonight.
