Every morning when I wake up I see these dog tags hanging close to my bed. The 3 tags are: my father's tag from Vietnam, my grandfather's tag from Vietnam, Korea, and World War II, and my great-grandfather's tag from World War I (still equipped with the original red, white & blue ribbon). These tags are worn proudly around my neck every Verteran's Day and every Memorial Day & are one of my most cherished gifts my Dad has ever given me. There is an incredible power infused in these tags. These tags have been to war and they were worn by some of the most admirable and brave men I have ever known (I never had the chance to meet my great-grandfather but I hear that's where I get my artistic genes). I make sure that I look at these tags, hold them and feel them to recognize what they stand for. I try not to take for granted the enormous freedoms I enjoy and how that came to be. And most importantly, I hold them in my hands as a reminder to follow my dreams and to live life fully with passion and intention. Today, I thank my Father, my Grandfather, my Great-Grandfather, my cousin Scott, Coach Lance, and the thousands of others who have chosen to make the freedom of our country a priority in the most selfless manner. May I never take for granted the freedom you fought for and the blessings it has brought us. Thank You.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Happy Veteran's Day
Every morning when I wake up I see these dog tags hanging close to my bed. The 3 tags are: my father's tag from Vietnam, my grandfather's tag from Vietnam, Korea, and World War II, and my great-grandfather's tag from World War I (still equipped with the original red, white & blue ribbon). These tags are worn proudly around my neck every Verteran's Day and every Memorial Day & are one of my most cherished gifts my Dad has ever given me. There is an incredible power infused in these tags. These tags have been to war and they were worn by some of the most admirable and brave men I have ever known (I never had the chance to meet my great-grandfather but I hear that's where I get my artistic genes). I make sure that I look at these tags, hold them and feel them to recognize what they stand for. I try not to take for granted the enormous freedoms I enjoy and how that came to be. And most importantly, I hold them in my hands as a reminder to follow my dreams and to live life fully with passion and intention. Today, I thank my Father, my Grandfather, my Great-Grandfather, my cousin Scott, Coach Lance, and the thousands of others who have chosen to make the freedom of our country a priority in the most selfless manner. May I never take for granted the freedom you fought for and the blessings it has brought us. Thank You.
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5 comments:
What a beautiful gift from your father! I got all choked up thinking about them...what they meant to the men who wore them, to your family, and to our country.
This is a wonder post!
Beautiful post, Catherine. How fortunate that those cherished items made their way to you and were not lost or forgotten. I certainly know what you mean about drawing strength from such wares.
I found that I, ashamedly but not purposefully, was taking for granted the freedoms that I have and forgetting about the people that fight for it. Though my heritage is rich in the armed forces, I shied away from hearing about stories or watching documentaries because it made me uncomfortable.
It wasn't until it became close to me, through way of my brother, that I could open myself up to understanding and appreciating our soldiers and our veterans much more than I had before. I was a fool to be so neglectful and have made it my mission not to be so dismissive as to not recognize true honor and valor among our society.
Today my thoughts are with all the veterans, the next generation recruits, the soliders in the mix, and the families that orbit them.
Erin, thanks for sharing. It's easy to forget. We are so sheltered from those realities in our day to day lives.
Celmore, glad you're here!
And now I'm crying.
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