Veteran's Day

Yes, I know this post is almost a week past Veteran's day, but on Friday I was able to go see Katie sing in their school's veteran's day assembly. I wasn't planning on going (because Fri. was an out of control busy day) but then I found out the whole school of singing and I felt like I needed to go to support Katie. I guess this is a big deal at their school, such a big deal that they felt like it was worth the time and energy it took to bus the kids over to the high school so they could hold it in the larger auditorium. The entire elementary school was there along with many parents and veterans the parents had brought with them. I wish I could have taken a veteran with me...

Anyway, it was a wonderful assembly, especially for an elementary school. They had the flag brought in by the cub scouts and then about 6 kids from the school gave some wonderful talks. Their main speaker was teacher who was an active National Guard member and who has been deployed twice, once stateside and once to Iraq. He talked about veterans and how much he respects and appreciates them and he also talked about Iraq and the improvements that have happened there thanks to our military. It was obvious from him that he thought they were where they needed to be. Wow! Such perspective!

The entire student body sang many songs, including the one that is the different branches of the military. Maddie told me her favorite was the "Thank you Veterans" one because it was so nice. they had all the veterans stand during this song and the students took red, white and blue carnations around to all of them. I cried. I usually cry over anything patriotic (see post about voting). I love this country and I am SO grateful for the men and women who made it the incredible place it is. Both of my Grandpa's and both of Doug's grandpas served in WWII. Our dad's were both lucky because neither got sent to Vietnam but my dad did serve for 4 years in the National Guard. I know that these men's life was never the same after their time in the war, but I know that we live in a better world because of their service and sacrifice. I now know a girl whose husband is in Iraq, I often think of the sacrifice that she is making, how hard that must be. I am so humbled and grateful. If you know someone who is serving or who has served, be sure to tell them thank you. No matter what our political views are, we must be grateful to those who have made this incredible country what it is!

These pictures are two of my grandpa Meikle's medals from WWII. He made a beautifal cedar shadow box and displayed the medals in his house a couple of years before he died. Also, I have included a picture of him. (Unfortunately I do not have any digital pictures of my other grandpa's who have served but I am so grateful to them too.)