Veteran's
Day Stands For One
At airports around the country we often
see greeters welcoming overseas military transport coming
and going. The tradition was started at the airports during
Operation Desert Storm, and has continued since. In Bangor,
Maine, USA, an entry and departure point for many of our troops
that are stationed around the world every military flight
is met or sent off by a dedicated group of senior citizens
who are at the airport to give thanks and show respect for
our troops. |
Once
upon a time, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,
the first Veteran’s Day was observed in America to honor
all the people that served in World War I—the war to end
all wars.
Although wars have certainly not
ended, and since 1918, when WW I ceased fire, there have been
multiple occurrences of conflict, we can and will still celebrate
the lives of those we lost and love.
My Grandfather, now gone longer
than I knew him, served in WW I.
My Dad, also departed, served in
WW II.
I did 13 months at U.S. government
expense, prowling around the jungles of Southeast Asia while in
Vietnam.
The two elders in our family never
talked much about war, although my Dad would often recall his
time flying around inside the U.S. Navy F4U Corsair.
I have always talked about Vietnam,
and believe that while we should support our troops, we also must
find an alternative to sending our young people into the meat
grinder, which is the ultimate endgame for any war.
We reported on air cargo doing its
part in supporting returning veterans. If you missed the story,
here
it is again.
However we feel about war, it’s
important that we never forget that we are also Americans and
must honor and care for our own.
Geoffrey
