As we head into the Thanksgiving and then the Christmas holidays, I do hope you can reflect on how good you have it and truly both “give thanks” and realize the gift of Christmas.
But I want to remind people that a “holiday” probably passed you by on Tuesday.
We celebrated Veterans Day on the 11th Day of the 11th Month and more precisely at the 11th hour. Let me encourage young folk to Google what those “elevens” mean.
World War I was more than a century ago. World War II was more than 80 years ago. Most young families were not even born during the Korean or Vietnam War. They may have seen video of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. How quickly we forget.
But the point I want to make is there are men and women today on duty and protecting our country, our way of life and our freedom. Yes, right this moment, there are men and women, flying jets, sailing on ships and stationed in places you have never heard of doing a job most of us don’t want to do.
Military service
People ask me if I was ever in the military when they see me not walk on the grass, stand still when the National Anthem is played and easily say sir to anybody. I explain I am an Air Force brat and was in the service the first 18 years of my life!
My dad - who I am named for - was career Air Force and he loved it.
Daddy was not always home, but Daddy was always Daddy and had a bearing you just could not help but appreciate and respect.
He never made us call him sir, but he expected us to give that courtesy to all others.
Daddy was also the man who chaffed at others touting their veteran status while he was still in the service. He pointed out he was being paid for every day he was in the Air Force and the check always came to Momma.
Saying thank you
We’ve all heard civilians tell a veteran, “thank you for your service.” Most veterans nod their head and shake your hand and think of a time and place somewhere else.
Daddy also said there are two kinds of people on this Earth: warriors and civilians. Most have no idea what being a veteran really means. Less than two-percent of this country is in the military at any given time.
So in this season of Thanksgiving let me encourage you to show your thanks a little differently and watch that veteran’s eyes when you say it.
“I want to thank you for my freedom.”
With all we are going through right now a price has been paid to say what we choose, vote as we choose and live as we choose.
Please look around this Thanksgiving and Christmas and find those reasons to be thankful, content and at peace with yourself and others.
-- Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Tate Record. He has learned to look for a reason to be thankful in just about any situation. Call him at 662-562-4414 if you are thankful today.
