My oh my... What a tremendous Veterans Day it has been today! My Lilly-Beth invited me and Sue to her Elementary School to join in their Veterans Day Celebration. I had no earthly idea that the VFW Color Guard and the Schools Veterans Day Assembly production was going to be so spectacular. I was but one of many Veterans in attendance and I was truly in awe. Okay, so I was one of only four Marines (we knew who we were without blinking) but I can tell you that it was an honor to be among such great men from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders all stood and sang Patriotic songs for us which made me truly melt inside as I am sure it did the other Veterans. After many songs from each class Dr. Kim McKinley the Principal spoke first. Then little Page Brooks, a 5th Grader gave an eloquent speech about how her Air Force Father (22 years in and still Active) who had just returned from Afghanistan was her hero. What a round of applause. The female teachers that I witnessed all were welling up with tears. The Daddy/Daughter hug and kiss that ensued was priceless. Pages Father is in the front row in uniform looking back at me as I introduced myself. I think I caught his attention when I mentioned I was a Signals Intelligence Operator in the Pacific and Atlantic serving with the Marine Corps. He gave me a big nod so I knew that he knew we were in some way related (were all attached to the spider web of the NSA so thats all I can say). Each Veteran as I have indicated was given a microphone to tell all of the kids who we were, which years we served, our units and our branch of service. As each of us spoke our child, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren stood up to be recognized. I could not take my eyes off of Lilly when it was my turn. Even though my introduction lasted but a mere moment, the look between us was so endearing as if there was no one else in the gymnasium. Just when you think that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket... 3rd, 4th & 5th graders lift you up. They take pride in our Republic and their School is ensuring that our Patriotism and Founding Traditions will carry on. Mr. Marc Schultz the Vice Principal I assume, closed the ceremony with a wonderful video tribute and speech. He mentioned that as each Veteran announced their years of service that according to his calculations we had 360 years of service represented. Thank you God! Ill sleep better tonight. I truly am blessed to have such a beautiful little girl as Lilly. I am so very proud to be her father as I am to be the father of five other children and six grandchildren. Love you, Love you, Love you Lilly-Beth... ~Daddy~Semper Fi Baby~
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:46:45 +0000