In honor of Veteran's Day, my father, and all the men and women who sacrificed and sacrifice still today, to allow us to live free, here is a little bit of my life as a child.
One of my favorite memories of my dad, though there were so many, was what he called, "holding colors." We lived in a trailer all of my life, in trailer parks wherever my dad was stationed, of mostly military families. We were the only family when we lived in Norfolk, that had a huge flag pole right outside the front door. Almost every morning my older sister, my baby sister, and I would have to raise the flag. In the evening it was always a ceremony to lower it. We all had to stand at the flagpole at attention. Of course, if dad was home, he would salute it. My older sister and I would have to fold the flag. Dad taught us the proper way to fold the flag. I wonder how many kids today know how to fold an American flag? Of course, as kids, we wanted no part of this. I would say to my dad almost every day, "Dad, this is so embarrassing! No one else is standing outside doing this." He would say, "Our family shows respect for our flag and our country." Enough said!
As an adult, I would like to say, thank you dad! Thank you for teaching me honor, respect, and values. Thank you for giving me that "never quit" attitude. Thank you for teaching me how to "soldier on" through pain and adversity. I love you and miss you.
I've always had a deep love and respect for our flag, our country, and the men and women that shed their blood so I could be "embarrassed" as a child, "holding colors!" It brings tears to my eyes now just thinking about it. I would love to stand and salute that flag today with my dad. Thank you,
veterans and families, for the tremendous sacrifice.
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