Veteran's Day Preparation

Man, I have been thinking about this post for a few days now and whether I should write it or not.  I guess you know what I decided to do.  Let me start off by saying that this post is meant to inspire, motivate, and encourage anyone reading this to get out and be a special moment in someone's life tomorrow and to remember that someone you didn't know did an amazing thing for you.  They served their country to protect you, your way of life, and your rights.

Tomorrow is Veterans' Day.  My father was a veteran (the Gulf War).  My grandpa is a veteran (the Korean War).  My father-in-law is a veteran (the Vietnam War) and my husband's grandfather was a veteran (the Korean War).  My husband's grandfather just died within the past few months.  He spent the last 4 years of his life in the V.A. nursing home near us.  While my husband was not close to his grandfather, he respected, admired, and was truly proud of the fact that his grandfather was a decorated veteran that had served his country (4 bronze stars among other distinctions).  Today I will be making cookies (regular and sugar-free) for the V.A. nursing home near us.  Tomorrow, my children and I will go there to deliver these cookies to the men and women that have served this country and those that care for them now.  Our visit will likely be the highlight of someone's day, with or without the cookies.  When we would visit PaPa Harold in the V.A. nursing home, it made his week.  Not just his either.  Patients from other rooms would come to their doorways to see the kids that were coming to visit.  The nurses and orderlies would make some patients aware that visitors were in the building and they had babies with them.  It would make me swell with pride to see these men and women adore the sight of my children.  The more I thought about it, I would swell with pride knowing that each of these people had done something for me and these beautiful children by serving our country.  Although PaPa Harold is no longer there, we will make another visit.  This time visiting other people's grandpas and great-grandpas.  I will will take extreme pride in knowing what they have done for me and my children.  I hope our thanks and cookies will be an adequate representation of the great thanks they are owed.

Now I encourage you to visit a V.A. hospital or nursing home if you have one near you.  I will try to motivate you to pray for those serving our country now (and their families that serve in their own way).  I am writing this the day before Veteran's Day for a reason.  I am asking you to make a deliberate gesture of thanks to a veteran, soldier, airman, sailor, and marine.  Take some doughnuts, take some cupcakes or cookies (homemade or store bought) to a veteran.  If you see any person that serves in our military thank them, buy them lunch or a coffee.  Make an extra effort tomorrow.  I encourage you to involve your children in giving thanks.  Take time out of your day to write Christmas cards for troops and be a part of Holiday Mail for Troops.  Involving your children helps plant the seed for a servant's heart.  Whether you are a Christian or not, I think we can all agree that volunteering your time makes a huge impact.  The world is such a better place for others and yourself when you volunteer yourself (no matter how little).  What a great example to set for your children.

As stated above, this post was meant to inspire and motivate.  I am not trying to get on a soapbox.  I am not trying to brag about deeds that my family and I do.  I am trying to use our story to reach others.  Would you please make plans to join us in thanking our troops and veterans tomorrow?  Thank you.

This preparation and Veteran's Day gave me so much joy, that is why I shared it on just for the JOY of it at Good, True and Beautiful.