Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Thank You Vetrans...

Normally this is not something I would share, but it was such a great experience and I promised my neighbor that I would spread the word. My Sunday school teacher is a veteran of the Korean War and 2 Sundays ago he mentioned that he is a volunteer at the Veteran's Hospital. I had never been there and I asked him if he would take little c and I to the hospital and show us around. We were not allowed back into the rooms because the hospital is very protective of our soldiers. There were more than a dozen police officers around. I think that is a good thing. However, little c and I had made these thank you notes that have Pancake and Mints on the front waving the flag and on the back they said, "Our liberty is our most precious gift. We are eternally grateful to those who have provided it to us and to those who have maintained it for us. May God bless and keep those who have fought to preserve our freedom. Thank you!"
We were able to meet with and talk with many Veterans just in the waiting room. I was so impressed with their kindness. They were just sweet to little c. It was touching to see and learn how they look after each other. We met several Vets who are volunteer drivers. One guy was pretty grizzled. He had long hair and was missing teeth, but he drives Veterans 3 times a week to the hospital from Nevada and waits all day for them to finish with their treatments and then drives them home out of the kindness of his heart. He looks a little rough around the edges, but he is an angel on the inside. We literally saw 5 different guys who could pass for Santa and one told me that he had been growing out his beard for months so he could help Santa out during this time of year. I guess that's all I'm going to say about that other than it was such a great heart expanding experience that when my baby grows up a bit, I hope to find myself there more often. And, without sounding dumb, can I say... take the time to thank the Veteran who lives near you. They have sacrificed so much.. and they can't hear it enough.

6 comments:

Michelle said...

So well said Tif. It is so easy to forget the sacrifices that so many live with every day. Thanks for the reminder.

Circe said...

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it and the beautiful picture by Little c. I had a veteran friend die at that hospital, and he was very well cared for. Thank heavens he got the care he deserved, even though he didn't have any family...just neigbors from the violin making school. Seeing him sitting on his porch with his dog, one would never know of the sacrifices he had made unless you took the time to find out.

Queen Elizabeth said...

Good work - as always. Touching story and what a great memory for you and c!

Alicia said...

That is the coolest thing I've heard. Great work on the Mints and Pancake drawing, c. I'm sure they loved it!!!

Richard said...

Thank you for sharing. Touching story. Very nice picture. Hooray for you for doing something about it. Thank you to all of our veterans and soldiers!

Richard said...

oops. That last one was really Sarah Smiles. I forgot I was logged in under my husband's name.