Veterans Day

Mornings are my favorite time of the day.  This morning we were up and out as the sky started to turn pink at sunrise.  When we stepped outside, the air was perfumed with the scent of burning firewood. 

Tomorrow is a day off from work.  But it’s more than that, it’s a day to remember and honor,  it’s Veterans Day. 

My dad was just a kid when he was drafted into the military. He would tell me stories about being brought into battle zones, and understanding that it was a fight for life. He remembered and spoke about the bodies being brought down in trucks and being told that his unit was next to go into that fighting zone. It was a lot to process for him at 18 years old.  My dad would talk about his experiences openly to inform people about war and also as a way to process and heal. 

My mom and dad were both kind people and they understood how to treat and speak to others. They came from humble roots.  They were compassionate. They taught us a lot about the realities of life.  They were loving.

My mom and dad have both passed now.  But the values they taught us stay with us.  The love of family, the love of country, the love of the outdoors, the love of life, working to be your best, the love of learning, treating others with kindness, living a simple life and helping others.

Veterans fight other people’s wars. Veterans are always the first people to speak peace because they understand the realities of war.  

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Please support and honor your local Vets.