Veteran's Day: A Hero's Farewell

Today is Veteran's Day, and I would like to extend a thank you to all of the veterans out there, and remember two in particular. My dad, who passed away almost nine years ago at the age of 87, was a World War II veteran. His younger brother, my Uncle Joe, also served in World War II, but until he died this year in January at the age of 90, was a living reminder that our freedom isn't free. He was shot in the head and spent the past 60+ years in the care of the U.S. Veteran's Administration, primarily at the VA hospital in Lyons, New Jersey. Despite the fact that Uncle Joe enlisted in the army to serve his country instead of going to the University of Alabama on a baseball scholarship, he never seemed bitter about his incredible sacrifice.

My sister made arrangements for a true veteran's burial at Arlington National Cemetery, so Rex, London, Maddie and I made our first family trip to Washington, DC for the 4th of July weekend. We watched the fireworks from our room at the J.W. Marriott and spent a couple of days with London and Maddie discovering the nation's capitol in 100-degree heat...the monuments, the museums, a little bit of art and history.
The most memorable part of our trip was the incredible memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery when we said goodbye to Uncle Joe one last time.
I'm grateful that we had the chance to pay loving tribute to a great man with a ceremony with full military honors, complete with a horse-drawn caisson, marching band, bugler and gun salute he deserved.

Goodbye, Uncle Joe

My Uncle Joe passed away this morning. Last weekend, I had the chance to say goodbye. I'd like to make a special note of gratitude to the nurses who cared for him for so many years, and specifically the one who worked hard to wake him up on Sunday afternoon so that we could say goodbye. London and Maddie have always brightened his day, so the girls sang for Uncle Joe one last time... he woke up just long enough to smile through Grand Old Flag and Party in the U.S.A.

My sister has made arrangements for a true veteran's burial at Arlington National Cemetery...full military honors, complete with a bugler and Gun Salute he deserves.

Even though we knew it was coming, I'm still filled with sadness...that more than 65 of his 90 years had to be so hard; guilt... that I couldn't (or didn't) do more for him; and a sense of relief and comfort that comes from my faith that he'll soon be reunited with his beloved brother (my dad) in some form of a better, eternal life.

Goodbye Uncle Joe, we love you.

Goodbye, Uncle Joe

My uncle is dying. I'm filled with sadness...that more than 65 of his 90 years had to be so hard; guilt... that I couldn't (or didn't) do more for him; and a sense of relief and comfort that comes from my faith that he'll soon be reunited with his beloved brother (my dad) in some form of a better, eternal life.

My dad, who passed away almost eight years ago at the age of 87, was a World War II veteran. His younger brother, my Uncle Joe, who celebrated his 90th birthday in August, also served in World War II, but has been a living reminder that our freedom isn't free. He was shot in the head and spent the past 60+ years in the care of the U.S. Veteran's Administration, primarily at the VA hospital in Lyons, New Jersey. Despite the fact that Uncle Joe enlisted in the army to serve his country instead of going to the University of Alabama on a baseball scholarship, he has never seemed bitter about his incredible sacrifice. He's had his good days and his bad days, and is extremely hard of hearing, but his eyes always light up when London and Maddie dance into his room to share their latest news.

Tomorrow morning, I'll head over to Lyons to say goodbye in person. Goodbye, Uncle Joe.

Remembering My Dad and Honoring My Uncle Joe on Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day, and I would like to extend a thank you to all of the veterans out there, and remember two in particular. My dad, who passed away almost eight years ago at the age of 87, was a World War II veteran. His younger brother, my Uncle Joe, who celebrated his 90th birthday in August, also served in World War II, but is a living reminder that our freedom isn't free. He was shot in the head and has spent the past 60+ years in the care of the U.S. Veteran's Administration, primarily at the VA hospital in Lyons, New Jersey. Despite the fact that Uncle Joe enlisted in the army to serve his country instead of going to the University of Alabama on a baseball scholarship, he has never seemed bitter about his incredible sacrifice.

London, Maddie, Rex and I will be over to visit Uncle Joe on Saturday. He has his good days and his bad days, and is extremely hard of hearing, but his eyes always light up when London and Maddie dance into his room to share their latest news.

While Billy Ray Cyrus isn't one of the great thinkers of our time, I would like to share the lyrics to his song about veterans, "Some Gave All"

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all

Veteran's Day... Never Forget

Today is Veteran's Day, and I would like to extend a thank you to all of the veterans out there, and remember two in particular. My dad, who passed away almost seven years ago at the age of 87, was a World War II veteran. His younger brother, my Uncle Joe, also served in World War II, but is a living reminder that our freedom isn't free. He was shot in the head and has spent the past 60+ years in the care of the U.S. Veteran's Administration, primarily at the VA hospital in Lyons, New Jersey. Despite the fact that Uncle Joe enlisted in the army to serve his country instead of going to the University of Alabama on a baseball scholarship, he has never seemed bitter about his incredible sacrifice.

London, Maddie, and I went over to visit Uncle Joe on Sunday, but he was sound asleep in the middle of the afternoon...he seemed to need his rest and I didn't want to wake him, so the girls and I will have to stop in another time. He has his good days and his bad days, and is extremely hard of hearing, but his eyes always light up when London and Maddie dance into his room to share their latest news.

While Billy Ray Cyrus isn't one of the great thinkers of our time, I would like to share the lyrics to his song about veterans, "Some Gave All"

I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all

Some gave all