"What are all those medals for?" the little girl I babysit asks me as she stares at the table full of United States Military medals. "Those are my dads'! Those are his awards for being in the Army," I explained to her. She looked up at my face with the most innocent look and said, "Oh wow, I'm glad he survived." I didn't know whether or not to laugh or drop my jaw. To be completely honest, I hadn't really thought of it that way, but it's chilling to think that children today grew up with that way of thinking.
Every November since kindergarten, there's always been a mandatory assembly for all the students, where they bring in the towns most noble veterans to the school for all the kids to sing the National Anthem and give one big audience thank you.
Veterans Day was always different for me. It always meant more than just an assembly or a Public Service Announcement to say "Thank You." Every year my little brother and I would do something special for our dad. Whether or not it was a home cooked meal or going out to see a movie, we tried to spend time with him on this day.
My dad being a Veteran has taught me to appreciate the things people do to protect us in this country. He taught me to always thank the local policemen and volunteer firefighters. I was taught to go up to them in elementary school and shake their hands. I was taught to always look them in the eye. He taught me how serious a moment of silence was. He always told my little brother and I to go up to a person in any kind of military uniform and thank them for their service. It wasn't until a couple of years ago that my dad told me that Veterans Day always made him a little sad. He said it reminded him of the friends that he met in Iraq that weren't as fortunate to make it back.
So, this year on Veterans Day, go out of your way for a veteran you know even if it's something as small as a hand shake. Thank your local firefighters and policemen. Thank the people who protect you and keep you safe everyday.
So to the little girl whom I babysat, I replied "Me too bud, me too."
