General Discussion

It IS Veteran's Day and we should be acknowledging it. Thinking on it it, I'm not sure if it is appropriate to say, "Happy Veteran's Day" or not. I know that one doesn't say, "Happy Memorial Day" or "Happy Good Friday" or "Happy Rosh Hashanah" because those holidays are observed, rather than celebrated.

One way or another, I am grateful for the freedoms and security that have been handed down to me by the sacrifices of others. The state of this country is hardly ideal at the moment, but there is still much to appreciate and I want to express my gratitude towards those who served.

My dad was a 19 year old kid serving with the Marines in the Pacific theater during WWII when a mortar shell hit the mess tent during breakfast, taking out dozens of his buddies. That's just mind-boggling to me.

He was the most gregarious, outgoing man you could ever expect to meet, and he only occasionally mentioned the Marines. He could lecture you to tears on almost any subject under the sun, but he never spoke of the war. That, in itself, was telling.

For all those who served and bear scars visible or unseen, I thank you and wish you healing and wholeness.