As a child, I remember being confused by Santa Claus being part of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Santa was for Christmas, not Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was supposed to be about turkey and pilgrims and giving thanks. I guess I was too young to understand.
But the holidays run together, it seems. Christmas items turn up in the stores in mid-October, before Halloween makes its appearance.
Christmas music blasts from the radio as soon as Halloween ends. November blurs into pre-holiday mania.
I enjoy Halloween in October and Thanksgiving in late November. I’m not ready for Christmas carols until December first. But that’s just me. Everything in its proper season.
Not Turkey, Trees, or Ghouls
I celebrate that other November holiday as well, the one many people forget amid all the holiday prep; November 11, Veterans Day. I fly my flag, put a red, white, and blue wreath on my door, and take my three favorite veterans out to dinner (or perhaps in this year of COVID, we will carry out dinner). Maybe the importance of that holiday for me stems from being in a family of veterans.
A Family of Veterans
My father and his brothers served in the Armed Forces. His brother-in-law was a frogman at Pearl Harbor after the attack. I learned at a young age to appreciate their sacrifice.
My husband served in the US Navy, and he wore his uniform at our wedding. Spending the early years of our marriage with him away wasn’t easy on either of us, but his service made me proud.
Both of my sons served their country too, one in the Navy like his Dad, the other in the US Marine Corps. I felt red, white, and blue with pride.
I also had cousins who served. And a nephew. One niece married a Marine. And one niece now has a daughter in the US Army.
Celebrating Sacrifice
These people signed up to devote years of their lives to their country. The pay stinks, and the rewards are few. Yet, they put their lives on the line day after day after day. For country. For us.
Taking one day in the year to acknowledge their sacrifice does not seem too much to ask. Won’t you join me in celebrating Veterans Day? How? Fly the American Flag. Thank a veteran for his service. Donate to a Veterans’ organization.
Don’t forget the Vet!
