My Dad fought in the 103 Armored Division during WWII. He was a Staff Sargent at the time and was in Africa, Italy, France (I think) and Germany.He had fully intended on staying in the army after the war, but told me they started sending new C.O's over with only a college education and no battle time what so ever. He couldn't see taking orders from some one who only had "book-learning" and no actual experience so he left the Army when his time was up when the war ended.
He always wanted to go back to the places he served in during the war. He especially loved Italy, perhaps it was the wine! But, as life would have it he never made it back.
I can remember going to all the parades in Canton, Ohio on Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Independence Day. When I was little he would hoist me onto his shoulders so I could see. Him being 5'6" that put me about eye level with the crowd. But to me he was a very tall man.
As I watched him, my love for this Country developed. Nothing I learned in school taught me the value of our freedom or the ultimate price our Military Personnel are willing to pay.
It wasn't always his words, although he he had many and was willing to use them, it was his body language, his actions that showed me how much it means to be a Citizen of the Greatest Country God ever allowed be created. As the Flag would pass by, I could feel him stand at Attention out of love and respect. As I got older I could see him tear up, these were important lessons for me to learn at a young age.
When flag burning became the acceptable form of protest, I couldn't even imagine someone doing that to something that meant so much. Not that it was the cloth, but what that piece of cloth stood for.
After 9-11 he had our dear family friend and my Sister by choice, Darlene hang a full sized American Flag in his window at the nursing home. He wanted to make sure, if any of those B-----ds flew past his window they would know who was in that room!
He was, at the age of 90, totally ready to take up arms to defend this Country. I bet if someone had given him his gun he would have stood, or at that time in his life sat, guard and done it with as much passion as he fought the enemy during the war.
No book can teach that, no history lesson can instill that kind of passion for one's Country. Only by watching a little man by stature, yet a huge man by heart can you pick up on the value of being an American Citizen.
So on this Independence Day 2010, I would like to express my thanks to every man and woman who has served, who is serving and who is going to serve in the Military.
May God Bless you and God Bless America.
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