DO YOU CRY...
When you see Veterans, both young and strong and old and feeble, marching behind the colors?
When you see them stand at attention, saluting our flag?
When you hear the National Anthem, It's A Grand Old Flag, God Bless America?
How about when you hear the Military Branch Songs...
ARMY!
"Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail...."
NAVY!
"Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh..."
MARINES!
"From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Triploi....."
AIR FORCE!
"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sun...."
COAST GUARD!
"Here's the Coast Guard Marching Song, we sing on land or sea...."
I do.
Tonight was the Veterans Day program for my son's school, the Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School. My heart was bursting with patriotic emotion - pride for the veterans who attended, sorrow for the ones who could not, because they were killed in the line of duty, or have been a POW.
You could hear nothing but the rhythmic steps of the Veterans as they marched together into the gymnasium. You could hear a pin drop as they placed a ceremonial wreath before us, to honor those who have fallen. I could not keep the tears from escaping as the mournful sound of Taps echoed throughout the room.
I could not sing with the audience as we ended the program with God Bless America - but my heart was singing:
GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS.
Thank you for all you have done, for all you have sacrificed, for all you are doing. You are loved and appreciated.
Vietnam Memorial Photo courtesy of hookbrother, Child with Flag courtesy of Jeff Turner, via Flickr Creative Commons.
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I sincerely appreciate your post, Karen, which I read to my Special Forces hubby; he thanks you very much, too. Thanks for the salute!
What a beautiful tribute put together by the school...thank you for sharing this...and yes, I do cty..
Hi Karen,
You bet I do, I've always been a flag-waiver and proud American!
Thank you Karen and yes I do when I think of all my friends that are now gone.
Thank you for your post. I get very emotional every time I hear or sing these songs.
To this day, when the National Anthem is song, I tear up. And when taps are played.
KAREN, I get very emotional. With this being our sons second tour to Iraq it hits home more than ever. At the moment he is home for his 3 weeks of R & R. He will be getting out of Iraq in March and out of the Army in June. He was supposed to get out of the Army this last August but got the stop/loss. I took that like a MOM but he took it like a soldier. I'm proud of all those past, present and future who defend our freedom!!
By the way I love your new hair style and your new picture!!!
Thank you all for the comments. My son was singing with his class, but he knows me so well. He came up to me afterward, and said "Mom, you cried, right?"
LOL
My brother served in the army for 8 years during peacetime. I remember being afraid that he'd be called back to active duty during Desert Storm. I know the fear - of course I fear for him daily, as he is a police officer near Tacoma WA - so he's fighting daily to protect as well.
Marchel - thanks - it's about as hip as I'm allowed to be. ha ha. hubby wants my hair long, I want my hair SHORT, so we compromised with layers. hee hee
I LOVE OUR VETERANS!
Beautiful post, Karen - very appropriate. Yes, I certainly do cry. I remember attending my daughter's first Remembrance Day assembly in the school gymnasium. They played a very moving video and read "In Flanders Field". It was very emotional. The kids were in grade 1 (she's now 15) so they didn't quite understand but knew by the parents reactions that Remembrance Day is significant. - Tana
Hi Karen
Today is a very special day for all the people that have help keep this country safe, many have paid a very high price for all of us.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Karen - Beautiful tribute, one of the most heartfelt I've read... and there has been a bunch.
Many times, I cried when Free Willy jumped over the damn and out of captivity....My son was mad at me for that, and never lets me forget it....speaking patriotically, I cried at Arlington Cemetery, I cried at Fords Theatre, and I cried at the Holocaust museum, and of course the war memorials, especially the Viet Nam memorial...and the activity going on around it, people tracing names, vets selling memorabilia....very touching...Nice Veterans Day posting
Pat - my kids stare at me during movies like Free Willy to see when I'm going to start crying...not IF. I cry EVERY BLESSED TIME that Homeward Bound is on, and Shadow comes limping over the hill sayind "Peter, OH PETER, I worried about you..." LOL
Yes, I would cry at all of those places, too, Pat. I also have a difficult time getting through anything to do with The Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, etc. We have a few picture books about slaves escaping to "follow the drinking gourd" or piecing together a "freedom quilt" and I cry every time. It's a combination of sorrow for the suffering and pride for the bravery.
As to Free Willy and Shadow, I admit - that's pure sentimental corniness! LOL
Jason - I had hesitated about adding YET ANOTHER Veterans Day post - simply because I know there were many, probably more well written than mine - but as I sat there tonight, I kicked myself for not bringing my camera, because I wanted to share the experience with my readers.
Thanks all for the comments - Lou, Tana, Nancy, Marchel, Jean, Larry, Lynda, Mara, Susan - thank you for commenting; but more importantly, thank you for crying. Marchel, your son is in my prayers.
Yes, I get teary eyed when I hear any patriotic song. This was a great post, glad you decided to write it.
Yes, they get me going. Beautiful photos too. You're blog seems to have me going too, I keep reading and leaving comments. LOL!
Amber
Thanks Amber! And keep commenting! LOL