Karl Kristiansen
I've seen the Wall in Washington and the Travelling Wall twice, once a UMASS Dartmouth and again in Middleboro. I'm looking forward to visiting it next summer in Fairhaven. I will take my grandkids and explain to them what it is and what it stands for.
I think it is a shame that so many young people don't have a clue about the military other than what they see on TV or playing video games.
It is hard to explain the camaraderie and trust you have with your fellow soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen or coastguardsmen.
When I see someone wearing a service connected cap or shirt, I always stop and thank them for their service, especially WW II vets. I'm always able to strike up a conversation even though we have just only met. If it is a navy veteran the conversation usually lasts for a while. No matter what the era we served there is always a commonality of events that happened to us.
My wife and I were in Atlantic City a few years ago. We were walking along the Boardwalk and I saw a WWII vet sitting on a stool collecting money for a veterans group. He was wearing a uniform. I thanked him for his service and gave him a salute. I started to walk away and I felt a tap on my shoulder and a gentleman looked at me and said only one word, "Vietnam?". I told him, "Yes sir". He shook my hand and we continued on our ways. I thought to myself, "I bet he's a Vietnam vet too."
Seeing the way Vietnam vets got treated on return to civilian life, long ago I promised myself I would always thank a vet for his or her service.
So this Veterans Day, if you know a veteran, please thank them for their service and when you do, remember, you are shaking the hand of someone who has contributed to securing the freedom you enjoy every day.
Thanks,
Karl
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