Steve Huppert
Columnist
Hupps440@aol.com
I realize it is still October and most of you are just getting into football and trying to lose a little weight before you start eating Halloween candy.
My November article will appear after Veterans Day, Nov. 11, so I thought I would say something about veterans in the October column. Really a lot more needs to be said, this is painfully true as veterans are dying in large numbers each day and many dying after getting little recognition.
The last living WWII ace pilot died in August. Donald McPherson was an ace pilot, as he shot down five enemy planes during WWII. McPherson enlisted in the Navy in 1942 when he was 18. He died last month at 103.
Military veterans are dying at a rate that we can’t appreciate. Very soon World War Two veterans will be gone, and Korean and Vietnam War veterans are close behind.
It is important that we recognize them for what they accomplish for this country and how they preserved our Democratic principles. War, death and dying is one thing, but leaving your lifestyle, community and careers for the nation is something else.
Another aspect of veterans that is overlooked is the contribution of those the men left behind, the mothers, wives, daughters and girlfriends. They had a valuable contribution to the war effort. Everyone needs someone who supports them, cares about them, and feels for them. During war time the women back home satisfied that demand.
When you go to the cemetery on Veterans Day you will see flags flying by the grave of each veteran. Right next to them is the person who gave the veterans the help and support they needed to survive.
Standing next to the grave, you might want to tip your hat, or bow, because their support group deserves recognition too.
A Soldier Prayer
(VFW National Home)
Dear Lord,
Bless our soldiers. Protectors of our nation
Give them strength and courage in the face of
adversity and deliver them safely home to their
loving families once again.
Amen
