Today is a day to remember and a day to thank those who have fought for our countries and our right to live in the way that we choose. As a child, I remember selling bright red paper poppies on Veterans Day in my small hometown. I remember the minute of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Those traditions faded away. They should not have. My husband and I were in the UK for Remembrance Day in 2005. The British know how to remember, and they know how to show appreciation. I came home with bright red paper poppies. When I work on Veterans Day, I wear one to work. The puzzled expressions on so many faces hurts me. Freedom, after all, is not free.
This is my opportunity to show love and appreciation for those veterans in my own family...at least those few for whom I have photographs. Thank you. All of you. You have my love. You have my appreciation. I will not forget. Would that all members of the armed forces--no matter the country--could go home safely, and we could all live in peace.
James Henry Brown (Civil War)
Earl Brookshier (World War II)
Charles Cole (US Navy, 1953-1956)
Stan Brookshier (Vietnam)
Denis Barlow (Royal Navy, 1965-1980)
What a lovely tribute, Kathy. The prose are nice, but it's extra special with your family photos added.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy - This is a lovely post. With lovely pics too!
ReplyDeleteNow I know that poppies have a special meaning for Americans who have fought in the war :)
You must be really proud of your family tree - you've got an ancestor who was in the Civil War!
Btw, I have a tag for you: the ABC list of favourite books.