Uncommon Valor

I'm a little late (in the day), but better late than never. Happy Veterans Day to all who have served and continue to serve our country selflessly. 

I just so happen to be the granddaughter of a certain Navy man who will turn 90 on his next birthday. His quiet, sweet spirit has become more talkative since my mom's involvement with Forever Young Senior Veteran Wish started, and for that I'm very grateful.

 

{lulu speaking at Collierville's Veterans Day celebration yesterday}

I've gotten to hear firsthand what it was like to survive the greatest naval typhoon in history and just what he felt while floating in enemy territory of the coast off Japan without power due to the storm.

He served our country well, as do those I'm proud to know who're active in the armed forces today.

So today, and everyday, I'm beyond appreciative for the service. I get to sleep soundly in my bed at night due to your bravery and courage. As he, and many, will tell you: it's the ones who didn't make it home that are the "heros." But to me, they're all heros. 

If you feel like I do, that they're all heros, I urge you to consider making a donation to Forever Young. They're currently raising funds to take those who were at D-Day back to Europe for the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014. These men and women lived through this iconic day so long ago; please let them revisit the beaches again, this time to be honored and see what a difference they made. 

*most photos are from the trip to Washington D.C. with Forever Young in October 2011.

The Greatest Generation

71 years ago today, the attacks at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii would be well underway. Because I hope that my generation will never forget just how much those before us did, I want to remind them. For men like my Papaw and those I've met through Forever Young, there was no other choice, really. You fought, because you believed in the cause; our country supported you because they did too. I hope we as a generation, and as a country, never forget.

 {Thankful for the opportunity to get a guided tour of DC from this champ. Miss you Mr. Greene.}

 {Ashleigh and Me with my Papaw, Clyde Thomas May Sr., veteran of the U.S. Navy, WWII, Pacific Front}

 {as these men once told me: 

"The ones who didn't make it home, they were the real heros."}

*If you know any war veterans that have never been honored or seen their monuments, please contact me, my mom, or Forever Young Senior Wish. They're amazing, and every vet deserves to be honored in a special, public way.