A thanks on behalf of Veterans

Published 8:46 pm Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Webster’s dictionary defines appreciation as feeling or expression of admiration, approval or gratitude.

This past weekend Lowe’s honored our military by having a day of appreciation. Lowe’s went above and beyond the Webster’s dictionary meaning of appreciation.

I know a man who served a year in Vietnam. He left home when he and his wife had just had a baby. The baby was 8 days old. He was gone for 13 months.

His wife cried and felt so sorry for herself. She was so proud of her husband, but she was afraid. She had a warm bed to sleep in every night. She had warm food to eat every day. She had her family near to support her. She was safe.

Her husband went to bed at night with a weapon beside him. He was lucky to have a warm place to lie down. When he did lie down, he was always alert. He never knew when he would have to run for a bunker.

He ate cold food from a can or a cardboard box. They were lucky to have fresh water to drink. He once got sick because his thirst was so great that he drank polluted water.

He was alone except for his friends who were living as he was. Always alert. Always afraid. His mind was constantly on how to stay safe. His heart was always on his family at home.

When his time was up, he came home. Thank God. He came home. When he got off the plane he was met by protesters who were hurling insults. They asked how it felt to murder babies and innocent people.

His country called and he went. His dedication, sacrifice, hard work, long hours, bravery, loyalty and courage are why we all live in a free world. Without that dedication to duty and courage under stressful conditions, our freedom would not be upheld. But our Vietnam vets came home to protests and hate.

But we now have people like Lowe’s. Your generosity and expression of gratitude reminds all our vets that they are appreciated and that we understand the sacrifices they made.

Thank you, Mr. Ron Jordan. You and all the Lowe’s staff showed our vets just how much they are appreciated. For those who donated gifts for the raffles and all that great food, we thank you. Your appreciation to our military both past and present helps those who served to cope.

To all our military both past and present, thank you. God bless the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and our First Responders, you are all heroes. Thank you for risking your lives, leaving your family for months at a time and for keeping freedom alive.

Again, thank you Lowe’s. And thank you Moultrie. As they were playing the National Anthem every single person there stood, put their hands over their hearts and took off their hats! God bless America!