This week: Day of the Veterans Edited by: Fyn-elf More Newsletters By This Editor
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Since the Revolution, eight generations of America's veterans have established an unbroken commitment to freedom. ~~Steve Buyer
To some people freedom is a waving flag,
To do your own thing is another man’s bag.
For ev’ry man freedom’s the eternal quest.
Free to give humanity your very best.~~Paul Colwell
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause.
Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves,
as he best can, the same cause. ~~Abraham Lincoln
A Veteran is the one who takes up arms to save you before the ones who take up arms to kill you can succeed. ~~Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu
Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.~~ Ronald Reagan
Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it… it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.~~Unknown
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Veterans Day is a U.S. legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars, and Veterans Day 2020 occurs on Wednesday, November 11.
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as “the Great War.”
This is commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day.
When one joins the service (in the US,) one takes an oath to support and defend our country against all enemies, foreign or domestic.
For the majority of veterans, it is more than merely an oath; it is a promise. It is unending. And, it is an honor
Today is certainly the day where, regardless of where you live, you should thank a veteran. And/or the parent, sibling, or child of a veteran for they also serve who only stand and wait.
I am a veteran. As was my father (WWII) and my grandfather. (WWI) As is my daughter. As a member of any armed service, you wake up every single morning with the knowledge that you never know just what the day will bring, where you will be sent, what you will have to do. Although prepared, you carry fear around in your back pocket because that fear keeps you sharp and focused. You write that 'final letter' to be sent home before you enter battle. You embrace each and every day. Because you are still alive.
Depending upon where you are, you bake under a desert sun and then freeze in dark of night. Or you watch your breath fall frozen as you stand guard in sub-zero temperatures in the arctic. You realize mud at least is cool in the sweltering sauna-like humidity and that to always check your boots before putting them on (if indeed, you even had the chance to take them off.)
You learn to not think of the ocean being miles deep, filled with yet more things to kill you or bitter cold. You learn some lessons so well, they stick with you forever. Long past when a response is necessary. You carry your service with you; you can't not.
When I was in the service, email was unheard of; a letter was golden --it would keep you going for days. I expect today's forms of communication, when available, are every bit as precious. As a family member, you learn not to complain. You write of happy moments, good times, loving thoughts. They write the same back. Because there is nothing to be done about the fridge that gave up the ghost ... or the buddy that gave up her life.
You learn to rely on the men and women in your unit and understand they rely on you. You simply do your job. Not doing it is not an option. Trust is paramount and it must not be broken.
Home is no longer just down the road, but often thousands of miles and oceans away. Yor bunk, your rack, your berth are where you keep your stuff. Things are pared to symbols, talismans, or charms because one cannot carry the additional weight beyond a pack that already weighs half of what you do.
Some things happened that got shoved down into boots, into back corners of one's brain, into dark closets with padlocked doors. Brothers are born through blood and you've carried them until limbs gave way. You become intrinsically linked. And, in an odd way, linked to every single veteran anywhere on the plant. For when the dust settles we are just soldiers, just people after all. You can meet the biggest, baddest-looking, Harley-riding crew of guys and after thanking them for their service (which they clearly wear in their jackets and tats) share that you, too are a veteran and you are drawn into their group like a favored relation.
Today is certainly the day where, regardless of where you live, please ... thank a veteran. |
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Anna Marie Carlson writes:I have done a lot of journaling, but it gave me a drive to do more writing when I had a dream about how to solve a mathematical problem when I took a class in college in Applied Mathematics. When we were studying statistics, I couldn't for the life of me figure out to do them.
After I had the dream, I wrote down how my problem was solved in my dream. When I asked my instructor how I did on the test, she responded by saying, Man, Anna, you sure do know your statistics. After that I wrote down what I was thinking right away; I learned that if I didn't do this, that I would end up forgetting what was fresh on my mind. My passion for writing just kept growing; this is when I decided that I my excitement for writing was an ongoing thing.
My grandma Lucy Buxton lived to be 100 years old; she wrote her last poem on her 100th birthday. She won the highest award in poetry. I think of her often, that is looking down on me from heaven and approves what I am doing. ~~Anna Marie Carlson
Kayla Sullivan says: I remember those first diaries my grandmother bought me! I believe it was Care Bears. I really enjoyed The covid response poem a lot, too.
Elle - on hiatus adds: I would be soooo frustrated if I couldn't access my journal because of a forgotten password.
What do you intend to happen to your journals when you die? Have you left instructions for who should inherit them or if they should be destroyed?
Me? I'm publishing them! LOL
hbk16 comments:
It is a good experience about your diary. The diary taught you to be first an observer and a writer who writes about anything.
I like it. Good share!
Yes! Observation is imperative for writers!
Quick-Quill smiles: Oh Fyn you make me smile!! I found a diary from my 8th grade for about a year or two. What would I feel if this were found? Now that I’m almost 70 (2yrs) I think it’s time to destroy the book. I wouldn’t want my children reading those immature thoughts and observations. Once I find it again I will get rid of it.
Be sure to read it first! :)
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