Veterans Day at the National Cemetery

I have to admit that in my younger years, Veterans Day meant a day off from work...a day off from delivering the mail. Sometimes we would have a bowling tournament, so when you were worrying about strikes and spares...not much thought was given to our armed forces...past or present.

But...things change. You get older...you learn things. Your brother goes into the Marines. High school classmates are killed in action. You talk to people who were in the World Wars. Soldiers come back...changed forever. Sobering.

I don't think anybody likes wars. But, we do like our freedom, and sometimes in the course of getting those freedoms...wars are fought.

I get mixed feelings on a day like this. I wish there would be no fighting. I wish there would be no terrorism. But...there is. I wish we didn't have to worry about how many countries have nuclear power. But...we do.

But, also on a day like this...we honor those who have been in the military...who have perhaps given their very lives for our country.

Not a good day for the ceremony. 40F, and rain. Windy, too.

May all the men and women rest in peace. Amen.