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Today at my God-daughter's school, local veterans were honored. I was
among them and as it turns out I was the only female veteran that showed up. This did not mean that I cornered the market on tears shed.
There was a brief movie that the students put together which started out with many thank you messages. Next, it briefly chronicled different wars beginning with World War I into present day. I saw a few tear drops coming not only from my eyes but those of veterans around me. Shortly afterwords, each branch of service was honored with their "theme song". We stood proudly in our little groups. At the end they played "Taps" for those that served and are no longer with us. All of us that could stand, stood up, put our hats/hands over our hearts and honored them. I know I wasn't the only one that shed a few tears at this one, either.
Then each veteran, had their name called out. Each of us were handed a coin that read:
In God We Trust
You Are Not ForgottenAfter all the names were called out, there was large round of applause by the students and adults assembled honoring us. My heart swelled and even more tears fell as I was looking out over the audience. These children are our future and they are being taught to honor those that did their duty to protect the freedoms that they now have.
At the time of Dismissal the principal read these words:
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
-John F. Kennedy
Then the principal asked the students to take a moment as they left the assembly to shake the hand of a Veteran and just say thank you. I shook many hands mostly females. One female even commented that it was really cool that I was a female veteran... the only one among all the males. I hadn't noticed until then.
Will my presence there influence someone, female or male, to join the military? I have no clue. Will my presence make any difference in anyone's future? I may never know. What I do know is that I'm glad that I went and saw the faces of the student body. I'm happy that I shook the hands of so many young people along with fellow veterans and school staff.
Happy Veteran's Day Observed. May you Not Be Forgotten. May your good words and deeds be ones that help others in some small way.
Lynn Hallbrooks
co-author to David McKoy
co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
Sounds like it was a wonderfully moving day. Congratulations for participating and thank you for serving.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't put it better myself. Wonderfully moving day. Yes that describes it. Thank you and you're welcome.
DeleteThank you again for sharing your story with us.
Wow, that is really cool that they did that for local veterans. I shed a tear almost every time Taps is played, especially if it's an emotional moment like a memorial. There aren't as many of us female vets out there, but it's important people know we exist. Glad you could represent us at this special event, Lynn :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can tell it was the first time they did this. I hope that they continue doing it in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I'm not alone in shedding tears. You know it's emotional when you see tough men wiping at their eyes.
Sometimes, I forget that females are relatively minor part of the military. What I want to know is why they automatically assume that females in the military are nurses. Or for that matter if you are a female and work in the medical field you are nurse. There are plenty of other support positions that are females. Not only that females can be doctors or even combat veterans these days. Heck, I could have flown planes for that matter.
I'm glad I went as a veteran and not as a spectator.