Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak at the local Veteran’s Day service. Our community has an impressive memorial right on one of the main streets through town, and on Veteran’s Day, folks gather at the memorial for a time of remembrance and thanks.
To be honest, I approached this opportunity as just another thing I had to do on an already over-committed Sunday. It is not that I dreaded it, but I was not passionately looking for another engagement.
As I got out of the car to walk to the memorial and join the folks who were already gathering there, it didn’t take more than 2 seconds to realize the wind was blowing 30 – 40 miles per hour and the 50 degree temperature felt more like 20. So my attitude did not improve.
But as I stood before the crowd gathered there, I looked on a multitude of faces. I looked on the faces of men who stood on ships and served in wartime. I looked on faces of men who flew planes to defend their country. I looked on faces of men who marched to protect my way of life. And I looked on the proud faces of widows whose husbands served faithfully.
And in that moment I realized something. I really have no clue what this meant to those folks. I have no context from which to develop a real understanding. So as I stood at the back of the crowd, after my talk, I watched as one by one, the anthems of each branch of the military was played. What I saw was men and women, many using canes, stand in honor of their branch.
I was humbled and speechless. The only words I could muster were “Thank you for your service.”
Tell a vet thanks today!
Clay in the Hands 
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