How are you celebrating Veterans Day today?

Question

My USMC friend is home today!

Lliam · Accepted Answer

I don't do anything for the holiday. But it inspires me to think about my dad.

He landed on Utah Beach in WWII and fought his way through every major battle - the hedgerows, the St. Lo breakout, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, etc. - all the way to the final occupation of Germany.

His job was a "runner", carrying messages back and forth from the front line to forward command. I read that runners had one of the highest casualty rates. He was wounded twice but made it through.

He used to tell stories of some of his experiences and he talked about a desire to go back and see some of the places.

So, in 1984, when he was 64, he, my mom and I spent three weeks driving through France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and southern England.
We visited a museum in a German artillery bunker on Utah Beach where they treated him with honor and gave him a beautiful certificate signed by the mayor.
We visited the big cemeteries at Omaha Beach and Luxembourg.
And we visited a small American cemetery in France where his beloved captain was buried. The cemetery was immaculate. The French custodian walked us out to the grave. On the way, he stopped at the rose garden and cut a perfect, long stemmed, red rose. Then he picked up a pail of damp, golden sand and a damp cloth.
At the grave, he rubbed the sand into the engraving on the white, marble cross and cleaned off the cross. The purpose was to make the engraving visible for a photo. He stood the rose against the cross and reverently retreated to leave us alone.
I think my dad had promised himself to visit that man and he finally fulfilled that promise.
He was silent and didn't cry, but I could tell that he was very emotional.

We visited lots of other places - Malmady; the Auschwitz concentration camp; an ancient, walled city in Germany named Dinkelsbühl where he had laid over in a hotel right after the war ended. We actually stayed in that hotel.
His company had been with those who first to arrive at Auschwitz and he had seen the gaunt prisoners gathered against the barbed wire fences celebrating their rescue.

In our travels we saw other things like castles, lovely towns and beautiful countryside. And the people were super friendly.

That trip was cathartic for my dad.

When he died in 2007 at 87 years old, he was buried with military honors - a flag on his coffin and an honor guard who fired three volleys (a total of nine shots). A soldier blew taps. They folded the flag crisply and presented it to me.

I have that flag in a flag box and his medals in a frame. I have his uniform, too. It's all packed away.

That old soldier, is now resting in peace next to my mom.

dougeats · Accepted Answer

Thanked all the vets I know on FB and texted 🇺🇸

AustColombiangirl · Accepted Answer

u talking about 11/11, if so its a day of remembrance. A day to remember the end of WWI and the ultimate sacrifice that the men and women have given to their country.

In Australia we stop at the 11hr of the 11th day of the 11th month, by the reading of the 4th stanza in the poem For The Fallen, Last post, minute silence, the rouse then finished with lest we forget

RandomGirl42 · Accepted Answer

With quiet moments of reflection and a heartfelt "Thank you."

exitseven · Answer

There is a parade in the next town and the Army Golden Kinghts will be there. I wasn't to check it out.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

I am working today.

jshm2 · Answer

By going into their homes, and taking away their food, ripping up their healthcare and putting them onto the street. Just as the Republicans always wanted.

loveslongnails · Answer

I honor Veteran's Day by calling every member of Congress, mostly the GOP, who voted to cut the VA Budget and tell them what hypocritical assholes they are.

pervertedjester · Answer

Thank a Vet by Signing up. As for what I did, I had to work like all other Vets and listen to empty platitudes.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

I usually attend an official ceremony, but I’m dealing with a sore back today. I think I’ll watch a war movie and reflect. I’ve been wanting to see Nuremberg

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Congratulations on your service, sir. I will attend our Remembrance Day (as it's called here in Canada) Cenotaph Celebration at which we honour our veterans from 11a. m. to noon.

Wiredone · Answer

Im home taking care of my wife. A home health aid was supposed to start today but nobody showed up

Likes2drive · Answer

I guess by working, my job doesn’t recognize that holiday, only my dad is a veteran, if I was then I would have to take off.

Med_guy1978 · Answer

I'll light a candle and some insense to signify the end of the great war and for the dead.

Nice222 · Answer

Marching in my towns parade and taking part in the service after at our Veterans park. I served in the Army in the late 80s and early 90s.

Ironco · Answer

I met up with some veterans at the legion and had a poker tournament.

BobbieBoy666 · Answer

I'm staying home and clothes free. 😇

CubaPirate · Answer

We held a 2 minutes silence and the golf club during our round

robocop666 · Answer

Dangerous job. If he dies you cannot say it's not in the job description.

XXblack88 · Answer

Just like any other day.

Xawyx-2 · Answer

We don't have that holiday in my country.

jahaims · Answer

Celebrate young people being tricked into serving old rich people for profit. Yay veterans day

NervousIndividual · Answer

To be honest, I have not given sufficient thought to veterans day.

Jersey2 · Answer

Just relaxing. Go Army!

Pterodon · Answer

I’m going out to eat one of my free meals

LunarEclipse433 · Answer

Volunteer at a Veterans Parade as communications

Finchie40 · Answer

Working

Brandi555 · Answer

Called my brother.

rominuser · Answer

Not celebrating!

HДLILБΞУ · Answer

I don't celebrate..

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

working.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

I don’t.

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