I was born in June, 1945, at the end of World War II. I don’t know much about it personally because my parents or my grandparents rarely talked about it. I do know my daddy was in the European theater and that he was injured. Two of my mother’s brothers and my grandmother’s brother fought as well. My father-in-law served, too. My brother-in-law served in Vietnam. Fortunately, they all came home.

As Daddy grew older, he began to talk about his service to our country, but he didn’t give much detail. I think that he and others just wanted us to realize their sacrifice. He spoke of how he and others like him met together.

I wish I could tell him and other family members how much I appreciate them and what they did for my freedom and the freedom of our country, but they have all passed away.

We were in Washington, D.C. recently where there are so many beautiful monuments to servicemen and servicewomen of so many wars: World War II, Korean, Vietnam. It made my heart sad to see the names of so many who have fallen because of the love of our country. The most moving is the Tomb of the Unknowns. I was also moved by the respect that was shown by everyone there.

Many of the veterans of these wars have passed away, but many still live with their memories of those times. When we were in Washington, D.C. we saw many veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. It was beautiful that so many reached out to shake their hands, to hug them and to thank them.

May we never forget those who give up so much that we can be free. May we continue to appreciate those who are still fighting for free people everywhere. May we hope for a day of world peace when there will be no more fighting.