Where has the week gone?!?

The PhotoHunt theme this week is “Veterans/Military”

This is kind of embarrassing for me. Anyone who knows us, knows that my husband is a military history buff, and that somewhere in this house are his collection of military medals and even his great-uncle Frank’s diary from when he was first stationed on a U.S. Navy ship in World War II. Somewhere. But, of course, things get shifted, moved, then moved again, and before you know it, all you can say is that you know they’re here. Somewhere.

So the best I can come up with at the moment are rockets. Rockets from the early days of the U.S. space program. All of the early astronauts – and most of the present-day ones – are U.S. Air Force officers, for the very reason that the space program was considered a military program. You should, of course, feel free to click on the images for a better look. They’re pretty cool, actually.

Hopefully, by Wednesday, which is Veterans’ Day here in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in other countries, I will be able to locate some of these items and write a proper post. But in the meantime, I offer these as a humble tribute to our men and women in the Armed Forces, and say to them: Thank you for your service!

Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S. I get an extra day off from work, and if it stops raining long enough, I’ll probably go outside and do some long-overdue yard work. I’ll probably grill some hotdogs and sweet corn, maybe make some forbidden potato salad later to enjoy with MJ. Many of you will no doubt spend the day similarly with your families and friends.

Popularly, we’ve all come to think of Memorial Day as the beginning of Summer – when you can bring out your white shoes and sundresses. And there’s nothing wrong with any of that.

But I ask you, while you’re standing over your barbecue or puttering in your garden, to Stop. For just a moment. Look around you. Take in the day and your surroundings. Inhale deeply. And Remember.

Remember the men and women in uniform – both military and those we now refer to as “first responders” – who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms. Whatever we feel about war, these brave souls responded to their country’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice in our names.

But for them, many of us would not have gardens to putter in or barbecues to stand over, or the food to put on those picnic tables. But for them, some of us wouldn’t even be here today, including me.

We are free and we are safe. Remember. And say Thank You. Even if it’s just a moment to yourself.

**Update: There is an actual “Moment of Remembrance”! At 3:00 p.m. today (whatever your time zone), please take a moment to remember and reflect.**

This is an open letter to all women and men of the Armed Forces, past and present:

Whether you volunteered or were drafted back in the day – Thank you for your service!

While no one in my family was ever in the military, we all benefited from your sacrifices and efforts. You see, my family were Jews in Poland during World War II. They were all rounded up by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. Only a very few survived. And they were liberated by members of the American military. So you see, if it were not for you, and those that came before you, I would not be sitting here writing this.

On those days when you feel forgotten and that no one cares, think about this: There are people like me out there who remember you everyday. We may not be lining the streets and waving flags, but we send care packages to our troops in harm’s way, and we write e-mails lobbying for your benefits and care for your families. Because, whether you know it or not, you have changed lives. And you made mine possible.

No matter what we think about any individual conflict, you put your bodies on the line in service to us. Remembering our Troops and honoring our Vets is the least any of us can do. I think. I’ve done a very modest tribute in Flamingo Fotos today, too, to Thank You For Everything You Do!