Veteran's Day Appreciation

When I was younger, I didn't realize the full meaning of Veteran's Day. Yeah, I knew what it was all about. I knew the reason for it. But, despite having a father who was a veteran of the Vietnam War, I was still in the dark as far as the meaning of Veteran's Day to actual veterans as well as the active military.

But over time, especially considering the events of the past ten years, I've grown to understand more fully the effect of Veteran's Day. But for me, it was never more understood than when I began to meet some of the veterans face-to-face.

Though my experience was not golf-related, being in the golf-blogging world, I have gotten to learn about several of the charitable organizations related to veterans. Organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project as well as the golf-related Bunkers in Baghdad have given inspiration, help and hope to both wounded veterans as well as the active military still hard at work overseas.

Though I've gained some understanding of the meaning of these organizations to the veterans themselves by reading many of the comments from both the organizers and veterans alike, you can't quite get the full effect unless you hear it directly from the horse's mouth.

I was fortunate enough to gain this perspective a month ago while assisting my wife at a local fair. Setting up a booth to help raise money for her Wear Red Fridays campaign, I had the opportunity to meet many veterans, as well as their friends and family, who stopped by the booth either to purchase a t-shirt, donate money or just give thanks for the support. It's from the veterans and active military that you can really understand what the support of others means to them.

So this Veteran's Day, keep in mind the reason this holiday exists in the first place. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems more like a reason for a car dealership to promote a "sale." But if you take a minute to speak to one of our brave servicemen or women, you will gain a better understanding of the appreciation they have for the support of the people for whom they are serving.

Swing 'til you're happy!

Posted in: bunkers in baghdad,golf stinks,golfstinks,military,veteran's day,vietnam,wear red fridays,wounded warriors