Patriotism (Arrrgh!!!)

Yesterday I wanted to write about Veterans's Day. I knew that many of you would have messages on the subject, and that you would say what I feel, most likely better than I could say for myself. So, I chose to visit other blogs and read your tributes rather than writing one of my own.

Last night, one of my nieces brought her two boys to dinner at our house. The oldest boy is 14 and his younger brother is 9. I couldn't resist the chance to talk to them about why they had had a day off from school. We talked about what Veteran's Day stands for. I tried to help them tie the people in their family to the wars they may have read about.

Their youngest great aunt served in the Navy during Desert Storm and her husband was in the Air Force. Her brother served on a ship in the China Sea during Viet Nam. Their grandfather served in Korea, and their great grand aunt was a Lieutenant Commander in the Waves in WWII. We talked about war movies they might have seen, and pinned them to the correct wars. I even talked to them about "Remember the Maine" and how Teddy bears came to be named.

I really wish I had had more time to talk with them. There was so much I wanted to say. I wanted to tell them that there are other ways to settle differences, and that war is cruel. I can only hope that they will remember our conversation and choose to build on it as they read in the future.

For all of you who served, or who are serving now, thank you. Without your willingness to defend our country, our way of life would have been lost long ago.