It Is Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day in America. If you get a chance to thank a Veteran today you definitely should. You could even give them a big hug and let them know how much you appreciate them! The Freedoms you enjoy each and every day in America....comes to you through our military and Veterans blood, sweat, and sacrifices made both presently and in the past. In 1978, I was 16 years old working at the A&P grocery located in my home town. I knew a gentleman called Jack; he had been our mail man since I was a little boy and also a loyal customer at the grocery store. I had got to know him quite well over the years. What I am about to tell you has never left me in all these years....It was on June 6th, 1978 that I was bagging up Jack's groceries for him. He said, "Well, today is June 6th and this is a very significant day for me and for the whole country Tony ole boy; do you have any idea why???" Now keep in mind that I was young and not much of a thinker back then....and of course I had no idea what he was getting at; so I smiled and looked up at him and replied "No." He immediately became saddened by this and I could tell that he had expected me to know....so I apologized to him for not knowing....and ask him if he would tell me. He said, "Well, on this day when I was 17 years old....I landed on the beaches of Normandy with many of my friends to help drive Hitler's Army out of Europe and put an end to all the evils they were doing. Many of my friends died there that day and the ocean ran red with their blood. This weekend I am going to see some of the ones who made it back home with me for the first time since that day!" We just stood there and looked at each other for a moment and I noticed a tear running down Jack's cheek....I extended my hand and shook hands with him and said, "Thank You..." I worked at that store for the next 4 years while I attended college and every June 6th...I would see Jack....let him know that I remembered his bravery...and thank him. I believe that Jack is the reason that I am a Combat Veteran today...and I will never forget this as long as I live. I had known Jack all my life...and did not know this about him. Veterans are not going to stick out at you like an Uncle Sam Poster....they are your mail man, police man, friends, and family. They are all around you. Be sure you give a veteran a moment of your time today....if anyone deserves it....they do!