Veterans Day is a day to honor our Veterans.
My grandfathers both served. My father-in-law served. My
uncle served. My father was injured in boot camp. They all served, but rarely
spoke. In fact, I couldn’t tell you one story from any of them.
Not that long ago, I was privileged to write a story on a
veteran. Talking with him helped me more fully understand the gravity of the
decisions made by those who serve – and the effects those choices have on the
rest of their lives.
Today, years after my grandfathers and uncle have passed on,
I have had many opportunities to interact with veterans – whether it is writing
for VFW Magazine, doing stories for the local papers, volunteering photography
time at a local therapeutic riding facility or just walking the streets of my
hometown, they are there – and they deserve a “thank you.”
These men and women put a name and a face to the military. I
am proud to know them. I am blessed beyond belief that my children know them.
They do not wear masks, they do not wear capes, but they are superheroes
nonetheless.
There never will be any words to express the gratitude I
have towards them, but I thank them all the same.
This weekend, a very large crowd gathered for the unveiling
of a permanent Veterans Memorial at our local Harley-Davidson dealership. What
an honor it was to be able to photograph this event and write about the dedication for our
local paper. Over 1,000 people came out to support veterans and to be there for
the unveiling. The two-hour ceremony included guest speakers, honored veterans,
The Military Color Guard, a flyover and a POW/MIA remembrance table. Many of the veterans spoke of the camaraderie they felt at the Harley-Davidson dealership - that the people they met there were a continued source of support for them. Here is
just a sampling of the photos I took there. Bricks were made available for purchase in honor of a veteran. Bricks still are available here. It was a beautiful day and an even more beautiful ceremony to honor our heroes.
Thank a veteran today – better, thank a veteran every day.
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