Veteran’s Day in the United States is a great way to recognize all of the service and sacrifices of those people past and present who did so much for their country.

Whether it’s a war time veteran or a peace time veteran, we recognize that they put their life on hold and put on a uniform to protect the country they live in. Some do it for a change in pace from their old life and some do it for opportunities. I was looking for a way to see the world and catapult my life past obstacles that I felt were in my way. It wasn’t until much later that I came to grips with the fact that I was going to be in a submarine that had a hundred ways to cause my death if things went wrong.

From the fact that we were going to be riding a machine below the waters that had been built by the lowest builder (no less the thousands of parts and components that were also built by the lowest bidder). Add to that the kinds of weapons we may or may not have been carrying with us into places where we may or may not have been surrounded by opponents who may or may not have been looking for us. We certainly had our share of fluids and gasses that might cause long or short-term issues to our bodies if improperly used or abused. Heck, one of the machines I was trained to operate even had a nickname of “the bomb” since it was kind of touchy when it developed leaks.

Flooding, fire, electrocution, 3000-pound hydraulics and 4500 PSI air all have a way of shortening your lifespan if they go uncontrolled.  Not being able to see uncharted mountains under the water also could ruin your day.

Yep. Even in peacetime, serving your country has its challenges. Some of us don’t find out until fifty years has past that we carried something home with us that we had not planned for.

But once a year, the country as a whole thanks us. I regularly receive emails and notifications on social media about the free meal, extra desserts, discounts and offers from one of the Cable networks for a free year of streaming.

But today, I got the best thank you I can ever remember getting.

I was at the County VA filling out some paperwork for a benefit that South Carolina adds for people with disabilities. The ladies that work there are so sweet and kind and helpful. I met a fellow veteran in the waiting area as our paperwork was being processed. He is a cancer survivor (Agent Orange) and was trying to navigate the VA system to get the help he needs. As we were walking out, the woman who was helping us both came running up to us with some cards in her hands. She apologized and said she could not remember the name of the school that gave them to her. But each of us got one.

Honoring you on Veterans Day

I did not look at the card until I came home. In it was a handwritten note from a boy name Cole. I choked up as I read it.

“Thank you so much for serving our country. Thank you for everything you did. From Cole D.” (I’ve redacted his last name)

After all that we have been through in the last few years with doctor appointments and procedures, it’s been pretty hard on me. Giving up the best job I ever had in my civilian career because of health reasons was really very difficult. And moving here was a challenge in so many ways. SO, getting a nice thank you meant more to me than most of the plaques and certificates and awards I ever received.

I decided to try and find Cole’s parents and used a tool that seemed to make the most sense. Facebook has a search feature that you can use to see people you are not connected to. Since I had his last name, I just typed it in and looked for people who lived in the are near me. The first two names that popped up were from Summerville which is where I live. Looking at the make, I saw very little recent activity, so I moved on to the female. Her family picture had three children, her and her husband.  I decided to take a chance and send her a private message to see if she knew who the boy was. This is her response:

“Hi Bob! YES! Cole is mine! That made his whole day!! Thank you so much for reaching out with that note! I also sent that to his teacher, and she said it gave her goosebumps! I’m sure she never gets to see a kind note like them from them!”

We have had some additional discussion, but that is personal. Just know that his kind act really made a difference in my life.

I was thinking yesterday that in our culture, we sometimes block off a day or a month to recognize the service and sacrifices of the people who serve us.

Then, the next day, we go back to bargaining or fighting or getting busy with other things. Maybe thats why despite our best intentions there are still too many homeless veterans and too many Wounded Warriors struggling to adapt to life. That is why we make regular contributions to both Tunnel to Towers and the Wounded Warrior Program. Our government is always big enough to help foreign nations yet struggles to provide for the men and women who serve to protect us all. I pray that in the coming months and days, the ones in power in DC can be better. Or at the very least, stop sending people into harms way if we aren’t going to care for them properly when they come home.

To all of my brothers and sisters, Happy veteran’s Day every day. And Welcome home

Mister Mac