The bond market and many lenders were closed today so it was a chance for me to catch up on some reading for the most part. But interspersed between segments of the day I definitely found myself thinking about veterans. My grandfather was a veteran of WWII, and he became a career Air Force man after that. Like most veterans of wars, he never talked much of the war’s terrible toll. Instead he chose to tell stories such as how he met my grandmother in Norwich, England. Good times were there too, and I am sure it’s far more appealing to think of them when talking to your grandson.
I don’t have a long-winded bit to say today, but I did want to mention what’s written on the medal my grandfather received from serving in WWII. It hangs in my office because I thought the significance of it was substantial, both as an heirloom for me and also as a measure for me to keep perspective in trying times. With a band around the perimeter of the medallion that says United States of America 1941-1945, here is what it says:
FREEDOM
FROM FEAR AND WANT
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
AND RELIGION
All I really want to say to the veterans is THANKS.