Hurray for the Veterans

This was the third year I’ve attended the Veteran’s Day celebration at Mt. Carmel Christian School. Again it was a great success. The younger children of the elementary classes shared memorized patriotic recitations and songs. The older students, clad in uniforms from the different branches of the military, shared excerpts of letters from military men and women who sent back some of the trials and tribulations from the fighting in which they were embroiled. Letters to wives, children, and parents gave a small picture of what they had endured or were experiencing to keep all Americans and loved ones safe and secure.

The ceremony began with prayer and a parade of military flags: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and the Marines. Each banner was solemnly and proudly carried down the central aisle to a place of honor at the side of the dais by students wearing donated uniforms of veterans.

The entire process of the celebration was dignified. It centered around and was dedicated to the men and women who sacrificed their time, their lives, and their limbs to protect all Americans.

There were many times I found a lump in my throat, unable to complete some stanzas of the several patriotic songs. A roll call of each veteran present was made having each veteran stand to be recognized as their name, the number of years they served, and the branch of the service were announced. The respect of these young men and women gave is refreshing in a day when the flag, the National Anthem, and the American veterans are being taken so lightly and with so little regard for their sacrifice.

After the ceremony, a meal was served to all who attended. The food was delicious with pies and cupcakes as dessert. I would like to give a hearty well done to the staff and students to Mt. Carmel Christian School.

Every day I post a different postcard on my Facebook page. I extracted the military postcards in my collection and will share them throughout the coming week. Somehow, I thought of the veterans from WW II for Veteran’s Day, but soon I understood there were veterans of many wars; from the French and Indian Wars, to the Alamo, WW I, Korea, Vietnam, Civil War, and those wars in which we are still embroiled. May God bless our Veterans.