Day 11: Veterans Day 2008 -- A Pittance of Time

Today is Veterans day. The holiday honoring all U.S military veterans. It is known and observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day (the symbolic end of World War I) or Remembrance Day (the day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces specifically since WWI.)

Why November 11? November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

This day, in my humble opion, should be a solemn day for remembering and thanking and honoring the men and women who fought and died or those who fought and came home forever changed by what they've seen. It irritates me that here in the U.S. Veterans Day has become little more than another day for stores to have big sales. It saddens me that an estimated 1/4 of the homeless in America are vets who haven't received the help they've needed when they come home. To me it is wrong that the flag-draped coffins of American Soldiers who died fighting for freedom can't be shown on TV because it is too "political" and divisive.

One of my most enduring memories of my childhood is walking into Arlington National Cemetary during a trip to Washington, D.C. and seeing all those white headstones perfectly lined up. There was row after row on a green field. As a young teenager, I was profoundly moved and awed to realize that each and every one of those headstones was someone who had served in this nation's military. It was a very visual lesson on just how many men and women it took/takes for me to live free.

So, please take the time to watch the video and offer a prayer of thanks for those who defend our freedoms. This is by a Canadian songwriter named Terry Kelly and called a Pittance of Time.


I am overwhelingly appreciative for the fact that someone fought for my freedom... and humbled by the fact that so many died for it. I am grateful for my grandfathers, all three of them, who served in WWII -- two in the Navy and one in the Army Air Corps. I am indebted all those who fought in WWII -- the War to End All Wars -- and for those who have fought in all the wars before and after. I am deeply grateful for those who are this country's newest veterans. I do believe they are making me safer through their service.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your scrifices. I know the sacrifices are many and yet, you chose/choose to make them. Thank you.