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Dr.Nikki's
| Veterans' Page It is here we honor all veterans: past, present and future |
| Fellow veterans, whether you served with our fathers, grand-fathers, uncles or cousins; whether you served with us, or weren’t even born when we were wearing a uniform, you are our most cherished brethren. |
| volunteered to ensure this country’s birth. The names |
| There is a bond of service, whatever the uniform you wore. You chose to stand up and serve. Some stepped forth and |
| Davey Crockett and Jim Bowie remind |
| us of the sacrifice at the Alamo… those stalwart |
| Texans were our brothers. |
| More stood tall for their beliefs |
| in a war that nearly tore this country in two – but neither side’s blood was any redder whether the uniform was blue or grey. |
| In the end, United the States remained, though |
| many of the wounds she received would |
| take a long time to heal Doughboys |
| rolled their blankets and grabbed |
| their kits knowing that they wouldn’t “come back til it’s over over there!” |
| After December 7th there were lines at recruiting stations and many a family was torn asunder as a son, husband, father, daughter, mother or wife lost their lives in WWII. In Korea you froze in the cold while trying to hold yourself |
| together. In jungles from Viet Nam to South America you have |
| answered your country’s call. Not all of you volunteered, but a lot who didn’t volunteer stayed far longer than just one hitch. It is a brotherhood/sisterhood. It is one that can be shared across generations. We now have two nieces in the Marines (one has already |
| completed her combat tour). A young man whom we care for as a son and who we helped talk into military service has completed two combat tours – one in Iraq and the other in Afghanistan. These young people are perfect examples of the amazing men and women who are heeding their country’s call. This page is about the veterans and the soldiers…not about |
| politics and policy. It is about people who serve and their families and sacrifice and dedication. It is about making a difference – even if in a small way – it is about Duty – Honor – Country. Without the sacrifices, large and small, from every veteran who has served before, every member of the armed forces serving now, and those that will serve in the future we would not be able to have the freedoms we are so fortunate to enjoy. Freedom isn’t free. It is bought with the sacrifice of usually our young men and women, their families, their employers, their friends and their towns. A Gold Star appears in a window. An empty pair of combat boots put on display. Taps echoes out across the morning mist as a flag is folded with military precision. A mother cries, a father bites his lip to fight back the tears. A young wife watches with a face so still it could be carved from pure white marble until finally the crystal tear falls down her cheek. She is started by the sound of the guns as the customary salute is fired. Played out in towns and cities large and small across the nation this tableau in each of its individual permutations is a testament to the will, courage and bravery of the American people. It is to these people this section is dedicated. |
Many say “What can I do to support?”: 1. Get a group of friends, co-workers, etc. and get together once a week and write letters to the troops. There’re plenty of groups on the net to help you get started. 2. Volunteer at a local Veterans Home or Veterans Clinic. It really isn’t hard to do, you don’t have to have special training, and the rewards it brings are immense. There’s also out reach programs. 3. In you live near a military base, or if you know your local area’s Reserve Unit or Guard Unit has been called up to serve, call and see what you can do to help the soldier’s families left behind. Maybe the Morale Support Office or the Public Affairs Office would be a good place to start. Helping the families |
6. There’s always the Red Cross, your local Church, the food bank, hospital, nursing home or school in your neighborhood. “If You Love Freedom – Thank a Vet” |
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| who have to cope with a Mom or Dad half a world a way is a great way of showing that Mom or Dad (the service member) just how much you appreciate their efforts. 4. Appreciate the freedoms you enjoy each and every day. Although man is born with certain unalienable rights, the rights you enjoy today were defended by life and limb of Veterans from all over the country. 5. Get creative! From plans that help soldiers get home for R&R with frequent flier miles to communication set ups so that father’s can watch their son graduate high school or an officer stationed in the mid-east can attend his commencement exercise for his advanced degree from a University here in the States there are myriad ways, large and small, to help. Even the Government has websites that will help make volunteering easier. |
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