Hailing from a military lineage of service to this country, I enjoy spending time with veterans. When we go to a nursing home, my honey plays the guitar and sings some of the residents’ favorite songs; I encourage the residents to talk about their lives and I listen. These men and women reminisce and share stories. One gentleman adopted me for almost an hour. He’d ask me questions about my love and compare places we’ve been to find similarities.
A person doesn’t need to approve o war to respect veterans. To simply forget or disregard the time and effort expended in serving our country is to diminish a part of who a person is. Not to be outdone, one of the ladies at my table said she never served in the military but she helped with morale during WWII. With a teasing twinkle in her eye she told me, “I’m in a wheelchair today because I would go to the dances and dance until the music ended just to remind the boys to come home.” Then she danced to celebrate the end of the war.
Veterans need to feel special and not just on one or two days of remembrance during the year. Some would rather forget things they’ve experienced. Some brag about mischief perpetrated and voice pride at having been in a certain place during a historic moment. Most are humble when thanked for service to country.
On the way home, my honey and I extended our joy by swapping stories to relive the visit. Friends and foes are all humans caught on opposing sides of ideology. When the conflict is over, each person deserves the opportunity to tell his or her story and to be listened to and respected.
THE END
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