Remembering the Veterans

For the first time ever, we remembered Veteran's Day and what it means. Every year this day comes around and, I will be honest, it's a day out of school! For the life of me, I can't remember what we have done on this day in the past. Maybe I collapsed on this day in need of a break from a classroom full of children, I'm not sure but not this year. We have been redeeming many things in our lives and yesterday it was Veteran's Day that we redeemed. We started our day with a quick lesson in the classroom about what Veteran's Day is and why we commemorate it then we headed off to the Alabama Veteran's Museum. I have passed by this place many times and wondered what was tucked inside. We were greeted at the door by the most pleasant faces--the faces of veterans ready to tell their story and give us the guided tour. Three men went back and forth over who would take our small group but in the end we combined with another group and made our way through the exhibits.

A man with a cane took us through the museum sharing with us information and stories that spanned wars from the Revolutionary War all the way to the present day. They have quite an impressive collection of weapons, uniforms, memorabilia, pictures and more. We hung on every word our guide spoke. I am so proud of my children who did little fidgeting and listened well for the entire 45 minutes he guided us. He told each story with such passion and interest. It was easy to tell that he loved to recount the war for eager learners but there was also a sadness behind his eyes telling a deeper story. A few times he would begin to tell a story and then throw his arms up in the air frustrated with himself because his emotion would begin to get the best of him and one time, he even left the room in mid sentence when memories had just overwhelmed his heart. Andrew asked later why he left and I had the opportunity to share that we will never know what that man must carry around inside him. Snapshots of the war: death and pain and suffering and at the same time extreme patriotism and love and the desire for us to truly understand selfless sacrifice.

The kids don't understand everything about war--I don't want them to yet. But, this was a great way to expose them to the understanding that there are people who fight for others, just because they want others to be okay. There are men and women, even now, who are fighting for us, that we may live so comfortably that we forget it. What a price they have paid and what a job they have done! We headed home and proceeded with out study of Veteran's Day by watching the President of the United States give a speech about the day. The kids listened intently and then we colored American flags and made campaign button telling what we would do if we were the president. I found out that Andrew and Alora would both make fine presidents. Alora said she would be "serious", would "tell the truth" and would be "really nervous" while Andrew would do away with public education all together and everyone would be home schooled. Oh and "NO TAXES!" Out of the mouths of babes!

At 4 pm, in a city close by, there was a flag retirement ceremony and so we attended. We were able to participate in the proper disposal of a tattered and worn out American flag. I am learning so much! I had no idea that only a military service man or a cubscout can retire a flag and that if one of those is not around and I need to get rid of one then I am supposed to carry it to the American Legion or the VFW in the city and they will take care of it. Am I just an idiot and don't know these things!? Well, I know them now!

We were able to each take strips of an old American flag and place them in the fire because you are never just supposed to throw the whole thing in. You are supposed to cut it up in strips and burn its pieces or bury its pieces in different places. (More stuff I didn't know)

The old tattered flag was replaced by this new flag and I gotta tell you-- seeing Old Glory fly after a day like today, made my eyes water for about the tenth time. I am thankful for our country and I am thankful for the men and women who have served to keep it safe. Andrew ended the day by calling his Poppie, Uncle Kenny and Bibi and thanking them for their service in the military. God bless them and God bless America.