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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,054
Registered: ‎06-15-2014

God bless your son and family. Thank him and all veterans today for their service. My son also served in the navy through Kosovo and in the Mid East— hard deployments.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,010
Registered: ‎08-29-2010

I spent many, many hours sitting and waiting in a Veterans’ hospital this past year.  It was an eye opening education that I certainly never expected (or wanted).  Most of the people I saw were Senior citizens, Vietnam veterans, I surmised.  The majority of the patients were accompanied by women, wives.  Seeing little old ladies pushing wheelchairs through the corridors was commonplace.  

 

We think it ended decades ago, but it slowly began to seep into my understanding that these men and women were casualties of a war they were still battling.  Only this time they were fighting for their lives.  Although discharged from the military half a lifetime ago, these men were still following rules and regulations, signing rosters and waiting to be called forward.  The only difference is that their fields of engagement were now hospital beds.  Based on conversations we had as we waited, aside from obvious injuries, there was an inordinate percentage of cancer diagnoses among these heroes.

 

The VA hospital we frequented is one of the largest in the country, and it was always busy, generally filled to capacity.  Due to overwhelming use and abuse, it was not the shiniest of facilities, but the care and respect my DH received was beyond reproach.  In spite of physical and emotional fatigue, knowing full well they were fighting losing battles day after day,  while following their own set of (ever-changing) rules and regulations, the nurses and doctors were phenomenally invested in the care for their veterans.  It was a “no questions asked” situation when it came to whatever my DH needed.

 

As I honor my DH’s memory today, I also gratefully remember these men and women at the VA Hospital.  May God bless them for their unwavering dedication to our Veterans.

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,058
Registered: ‎10-01-2013

To all veterans: Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I include their families also. 

Regular Contributor
Posts: 205
Registered: ‎11-06-2018
Don't get me wrong.I love our vets. I will never forget their sacrifice. what they endure for the sake of others! God help them all.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 37,294
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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@CalminHeart

 

Please tell your son “thank you.” You certainly have a reason to be so very proud!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,235
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

The two most important men in my life  ........   my husband and my father are both Veterans!  My husband is a 20 yr. veteran of the USAF, my father was in WWII!

Valued Contributor
Posts: 774
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

To be sure @CalminHeart, you have every reason to be proud of your wonderful son!

Valued Contributor
Posts: 774
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

I'm so proud of my dad who was a Marine and my brother who was in the Air Force - both made it home from wars safe and sound. I'm also thankful for my ancestors who served in the Civil War and Revolutionary War.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,702
Registered: ‎08-22-2013

My husband and son are both vets, they put their lives on hold and did their duty just like all of us should be willing to do for our freedom. Oh how thankful we all are for the brave men and women, as long as it's not your kid or husband or wife in harms way.We need Universal Service where everyone does their part, big or small for our country.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,496
Registered: ‎06-10-2010