Today is Veteran’s Day. It’s a time for us to remember the sacrifices made by many, many men and women who have dedicated their lives to keep this country safe and free.
My dad was a veteran of the Korean War. Dad joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. He completed his basic training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Quite a cultural change for a Nebraska farm kid to go to Mississippi in the early 1950’s. Dad was a RADAR and air traffic controller during his stint in the service. He didn’t talk a whole lot about all the places he went or what all he had to do. I visited Biloxi a few years ago and found that the base is still there and involved in training for electronic operations of various varieties.
Dad spoke of a few of his buddies he worked with and kept in touch. The only name I remember was a guy by the name of Bob Haywood. I guess the last name stuck out in my mind and the fact he came through for a visit once many years ago. It’s one of the few times I heard my dad converse with anyone about much of his military experiences. I remember looking through an old photograph album my dad had compiled of pictures while he was stationed in Mississippi. It looked like something out of an old Glenn Miller movie. My dad’s dress uniform military picture bore a very striking resemblance to Miller.
I’ve mentioned before that I lived a bit of the military experience while Dad was in the service and then later, as a reserve. I was born in a military hospital located on Selfridge Air Force Base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Some folks kid me that it’s the reason I have an affinity for well polished floors. What the experience also imparted was a keen appreciation for those who serve in our armed forces and an uncompromising sense of patriotism and pride in this country.
My family spent the day doing some group things that took us to a few shopping places that were packed with early holiday shoppers. As we walked around the crowded mall, I thought about a symposium I recently attended that featured a number of members of the Israeli National Defense Force and Intelligence Division. They spoke of how they constantly are on guard for the regular bombings that take place at their shopping malls and the constant threat to the safety of everyone there. They spoke about how an entire family never travels together for fear that a suicide bomber might kill them all.
I’m grateful for the members of our armed services: past, present and future who have fought and died to keep this country safe and keeps us from the kind of environment that is found in other parts of the world. I’m grateful that I can document my thoughts freely without fear of attack or reprisal. I’m grateful that I can go to sleep tonight not having to worry about waking up in the morning.
I pray for the safety of those currently in harm’s way and hope they stay safe and can complete their mission soon and return home to their families.