NPR's radio program "Day to Day" had the idea that a good way to honor veterans on Veteran's Day is to have Alex Chadwick do a politically-tinged little pseudo-essay, complete with sound elements from a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Predictable and powerless to resist the urge to connect the recent mid-term elections to the memory of our honored dead, the bumper to the segment nevertheless included some interesting historical information.
According to NPR, there are now 14 surviving American veterans of World War I. The youngest is 105 years old and the oldest is 115. It is fascinating to consider all of the things that these men have witnessed, both in that first "modern" war as well as in these intervening years.
I am deeply grateful to the men and women who have served in our military, now and in the past. Without their resolute sacrifice, we would all have far fewer freedoms which we could take for granted. And I am thankful, too, for those who are even now stepping up, volunteering to serve their country in a difficult and unpopular conflict. May America's prayers go strong before you and her gratitude stand firm behind you.
According to NPR, there are now 14 surviving American veterans of World War I. The youngest is 105 years old and the oldest is 115. It is fascinating to consider all of the things that these men have witnessed, both in that first "modern" war as well as in these intervening years.
I am deeply grateful to the men and women who have served in our military, now and in the past. Without their resolute sacrifice, we would all have far fewer freedoms which we could take for granted. And I am thankful, too, for those who are even now stepping up, volunteering to serve their country in a difficult and unpopular conflict. May America's prayers go strong before you and her gratitude stand firm behind you.
This beautiful painting of the American flag is by Gayle Curry.
2 comments:
I love that painting! Thanks for sharing it along with the lovely blog entry. It is a nice tribute to our service men and women.
Thanks, Heidi. I liked a lot of the artwork I saw on Gayle Curry's website.
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