Our Veterans Day celebration. You'll like!

[Colonel26]

Yes sir I'm as sick as most of you about the election, the economy, the moral decline of our nation, and the general direction we're headed. But I was reminded Friday that we ain't done yet. There are still a few glimmers of hope out there. Here's one.

The high school I teach at has had a Veterans Day ceremony from time immemorial. It's in the gym, all the students are there, the DAV, and the VFW are all there in all there regalia ribbons and medals. Our honor guard presents the colors, and we all say the pledge. The kids write patriotic speeches and the top three read them, dressed in their Sunday best, to the entire crowd, and receive cash prizes through the Voice of Democracy. There's always a key note speaker, usually military, there's an invocation prayed in the name of Jesus too. This year all the veterans who were able came forward at the end of the key note address and reenacted their induction oath for the assembled crowd.

The part that gets me is when our band plays the hero's medley. It contains all the service hymns and as their particular branch's hymn is played, the vets stand and there is applause all around. I can't keep from crying. One year I sobbed openly as one old WWII vet in a wheel chair was to weak to raise his hand when the army hymn was played, and his wife sat behind him holding up his hands. Whew. He wasn't there this year.

Then two trumpet players play taps in a call and answer arrangement to honor the vets who've passed on in the last year. I cry like a baby and so do most of the students. Then to end the ceremony this year one of our senior girls prayed the benediction, in Jesus' name of course and let's just say you could tell that was not her first time talking to The Lord.

Yep things are bad. They'll probably get worse. But maybe, just maybe there's some slight hope out there.

[treefarmer]

Colonel26, Sounds like a wonderful community to be part of. There are bastions of patriotisim combined with faith and hope all across this great country, contrary to what the progressives would have us believe. It may eventually only be a "biblical remenant" that hold these values but I for one am thankful to hear of a community that honors God and country unashamed. Treefarmer

[wishful]

Very touching Colonel26, and well put.

[jerryd6818]

That's the way it should be. Congratulations Wade, on the honor and privilege of being a part of it. I appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

[tjmurphy]

To all of our veterans, THANK YOU and have a blessed day.

[orvet]

To all of our veterans, THANK YOU and have a blessed day.

Thank you TJ, Col26 and the rest of y'all, I believe I will!

[Old Hunter]

Thank you Wade, sounds like a terrific tradition! I live in a mid-size town, many of the traditional values still survive here in "flyover county" - thank God! Our local university, ECU, has created a Veterans Memorial Walk to honor those who attended, worked, or taught at ECU and who also served in the Armed Forces. My wife had an engraved paver placed for me and one for her father, now deceased; he served in the Army in WWII and later taught at ECU. We attended the dedication ceremony this past Friday afternoon - it was very nicely done. OH

[TAB2you]

Wade and I spoke off an on this week about the election and be shared some of that story about Veterans Day with me. There is hope for America. In prayer and in our communities there are plenty of decent folk to carry the torch. We shall survive this.

Beyond that, our church played the anthems for all branches of service- folks who served stood when their anthem played. We all stood at the end to salute them with a round of applause and thank you-

To all you vets here, I am clapping for you, too. Thank you for your service.

Thomas

[Colonel26]

OH, I like raising my boys in the buckle of the Bible Belt and living in Mayberry so I understand exactly what you mean.

Vets, thank you so much for this opportunity!

[tjmurphy]