Veteran's Day and TAPS

If These Heels Could Talk they would say, "when it comes to the military service of our men and women I am forever thankful."

As with every year, this year I attended the Veteran's Day Celebration they have at the local Middle School.  I have been attending it for quite some time now since I have three children that have attended or is still attending that school.  This year my seventh grader seemed especially excited for me to attend.  That made me proud. 

As usual as I sit through the ceremony and the various components are presented there are instances when a tear or two will come to my eyes.   I try to fight back any tears in order to avoid smudging my mascara. 

When people ask me about my service I am always proud to tell them that I did serve in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Then the next question comes; "How long did you serve." And I always reply, "well I just did my four years." 

I am not sure why a part of me feels as if those four years weren't enough.  I almost feel that because I only did four years, never was deployed and pretty much remained at one duty station my entire enlistment that I somehow am not a true Veteran.

The truth of the matter is that,  I am a Veteran  and I am proud to be called a Veteran.

However I will say this, , I realize that my time served is nothing in comparison to the time served  by countless men and women of our great country.  As I stood there and they called out each conflict in which you stood and received your certificate, I was in complete awe of some of the men and women.  There were some that had served during multiple conflicts, was in the line of fire, had been injured, sent back into the line of fire,  and was still alive to be recognized on this day.  They received their certificate as if they were receiving the Purple Heart. 

I felt a sense of peace and pride  knowing that these individuals paved the way so that when it came my time to serve I had the freedom to do just that and I did it to the best of my ability. 

During the ceremony a young boy was prompted to play TAPS and he did it well.   As with every time I hear TAPS a tear trickled down my cheek.  I looked up in the bleachers and knew immediately that my son would be looking at me.  He was.  He knew that TAPS got me in the gut.  Now prior to enlisting had I heard TAPS, I would not have been nearly affected.  However I know the cost and I know what TAPS represents now and I will cry every time I hear it.

I stood there listening, with hand over my heart, trying to fight back the tears and I thought to myself, "I wonder if this young boy realizes the importance of this piece that he is playing?"

Twenty-four notes. It's a simple melody, 150 years old, that can express our gratitude when words fail. TAPS honors the men and women who have laid down their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cost of freedom. 

I am not sure that all those children in that gym knew that day what they were listening too. However I know that me and all the Veterans that were present knew.  Freedom does not come without a price.

I am thankful that I made a decision twenty years ago to join the United States Navy.  I learned and experienced things that had I stayed in this one horse town I would have never known.  I also met a lot of people that to this day I still call friend.  Many are Veterans now and some are still enlisted.  I say thank you to them all. 

November 11, is Veteran's Day.  Be sure and thank a Veteran.