Wishes, A Hug, and Tears…

While finishing my last-minute Christmas shopping the other day, I looked at the many faces that passed and wondered if (and hoped) that they were having a wonderful holiday season.  I wished their stress would disappear after buying gifts, I wished their loved ones would be nearby, I wished for smiles on every child’s face, and I especially wished for the sick to be pain-free and healthy very soon.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fast-paced shopping season and forget what’s really important. 

Trying to decide which store to walk into next, my eyes fell upon a young man in military fatigues walking by with his girlfriend.  As he approached, I walked up to him, stared right in his eyes and said with conviction, “THANK YOU!”  Without hesitation, he stretched out his arms and gave me the biggest heartfelt hug and said, “It’s Christmas time, I think a hug is appropriate.” 

WOW! 

As I continued walking in the opposite direction from the soldier, my eyes teared up for quite a few reasons.  I wondered just how many other strangers actually take the time to thank that young man or other members of our military.  I wondered how long he would be able to spend time with his family before being deployed again.  I wondered if he realized just how much I appreciated him. 

The only good thing about waiting til the last minute to do my Christmas shopping was this most wonderful encounter!  My wish for everyone this season is to find the love in your heart, the smile on your face, and the passion of life!

Merry Christmas this 25th day of December, 2010!

~April Glatzel

* VETERANS DAY *

Fifty-five years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued America’s first Veterans Day Proclamation.  In it, President Eisenhower called on all Americans to “solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.”

In 2009, we continue to honor those brave Americans who have served our nation in uniform; some 48 million men and women whose service spans our history — from the War for Independence to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our Veterans Day observance has evolved over the years.  Our nation’s custom of observing the end of World War I in 1918 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month became a legal holiday known as Armistice Day in 1938.  In recognition of military service members’ sacrifices in World War II and Korea, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day so that, as President Eisenhower said, “a grateful nation might pay appropriate homage to the veterans of all its wars who have contributed so much to the preservation of this nation.”

This year on Veterans Day 2009, we honor not only those who fought in our nation’s wars, but all who took that solemn oath to ”support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies” as members of America’s armed forces.

Of course, we remember and honor the more than 1.1 million patriots who have died while in military service to America.  We must never forget them, or the 24 million other American veterans who passed on since their service.  But the beauty of Veterans Day is that we take the time to remember and thank those who have defended us, or stood ready to do so, while they are still with us.

And more than 23 million veterans are still here with us.  Three-fourths of them served during time of war; all of them served and all deserve our gratitude!!

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states, it is usually observed on November 11.  However, if it occurs on a Sunday, then the following Monday is designated for holiday leave, and if it occurs Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be so designated.

Veterans Day was first incorporated by President Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919.  Other countries today also still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty which ended WWI.               

It was in 1938 that Armistice Day was enacted as an official American holiday.  But eventually after WWII, citizens felt that the veterans of all wars should be recognized, not just those of WWI.  So in 1954, Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.  In America, the holiday now celebrates the approximate 24.9 million veterans in the United States with parades and ceremonies among other events.

Honoring all who served…. and who are currently serving!  THANK YOU!