Celebrating Americans

It was the 4^th of July.  This is the day we celebrate being Americans.  But it seems to me that some people are more ‘American’ than others, and these people are called Veterans.  They deserve our thanks and our recognition. 

 A Chaplain with Hospice of the Upstate also serves in our Army National Guard, and he spent his 4^th of July visiting Hospice of the Upstate patients who are Veterans.  Wearing his dress blue uniform, he pinned an American Flag on these Veterans, and with inspiring words, he thanked them for their service.  Naturally, I flew along to watch and learn.

·         I saw men who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Desert Storm

·         I heard boisterous stories from those who wanted to share their tales and their emotions

·         I felt the depth of those overcome with emotions that couldn’t speak a word

 Mostly, I learned that the face of patriotism takes many shapes, but it is always beautiful.  And that beauty extends to the families of soldiers who also made sacrifices, whether their loved one served in war or peace time.

 All day long, as I flew through the red, white, and blue of the 4^th of July, I kept hearing words like service, honor, and pride.  Our Veterans seem to have those things in abundance.  I think we can all learn a lot from our Veterans about service, honor, and pride.  I know I have.