He didn’t have to do it. In fact, he probably shouldn’t have. He should have coerced the scout to do his job. Instead, my father took the lead through the suspicious pass during a reconnaissance patrol and gave his limbs to the jungle of Southeast Asia.
My maternal grandfather was too young to serve. That didn’t stop him, however. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted under a phony birth date and would eventually participate in the Battle of the Bulge. I like to think that Grandpa regaled his German counterparts with stories for hours on end to coax their eventual surrender.
My paternal grandfather gave his country two years of his life in a German prisoner of war camp. In reality, he gave far more. The untold stress of the experience would eventually shave years off of his life. One of the great laments of my own existence is not having any recollection of Grandpa Slaybaugh.
Strong men with strong partners. That is who I thank specifically on this day of remembrance and observance.
All who have donned the uniform to protect our way of life and keep safe those who cannot do so themselves. That is who I thank broadly.
Shake a veteran’s hand today. Your respect is free, their sacrifice is not.
*** As some know, my father is an inactive member of Active Rain. I would be indebted to all who would be kind enough to visit his blog and wish him well today.
http://activerain.com/blogs/houseseller
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It just seems that a thank you is not enough....but it is what I have to give. So THANK YOU to all the veterans who have sacrificed so much for me.
Hi Paul! Thanks for sharing your personal story--Love of Country is dwindling for some reason these days. I applaud both your father and grandfather for their service and sacrifice for MY freedoms as well as all Americans' freedoms. I am so proud of them and all veterans who have given so much of themselves for others.
Hi Paul. I think this is the most moving post I have read today. Thanks.
I think if the people who criticize our country would just take a moment and remember the sacrifice's made by people like your father and grandfather they would not have anything negative to say!
Paul - We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Thanks for a heartfelt tribute.
Paul, This is a touching memorial to two brave men. I remember as a kid going into our attic and pouring through my Dads wartime letters. And then looking with admiration & pride at his ww2 uniform still hanging in the attic cedar closet. He never talked about he war, but I know he was a hero, he had the medals to prove it. Tell your Dad, if he is still with us thank you for me.
Ginger
Mandi - Amen.
Debe - We may cast a jaded eye towards our leadership, but it should never be at the detriment of our soldiers.
Shirley - You're welcome. Now go hug a vet :)
Lori - A patriot can question his/her government when warranted, but I loathe misplaced hostility. There is plenty of constructive criticism that can be heaped upon Washington (and us for tolerating mismanagement), but it should never be directed at the soldier whose only responsibility is to protect our interests as those in charge deem necessary.
Tom - Very true. I always feel a bit inadequate on November 11th.
Ginger - Thank you for your comment. There are actually three brave men that I pay tribute to today, but who's counting? ;) My father is more than still with us, he's an inactive member of Active Rain! He doesn't talk about the war much either because he considers it just a small part of his life (amazing to think that), but I would be very much obliged if you and everyone else would visit his blog to wish him well!
http://activerain.com/blogs/houseseller
Just gave me an idea to edit my post.
Paul - I will be stopping by your Father's blog momentarily. Thanks for another good tribute to honor and respect our many Veterans.
Much obliged, Sardi.
I am very proud of them and all the other's who have fought for us. I'm off to say hola to your dad & thanks. KM
Ray Slaybaugh rocks!
I really hope to meet your dad him someday. Please make sure he stops by AR to see all our thanks. I know it really blows my own dad away when someone says thank you for his service.
Thank you, Ray!
Paul.... very touching words at the very end.... thanks for sharing this and the stories of your family who had served.
Victory Division - First to Fight
Paul, I join you in honoring your father and other fathers, sons, brothers, mothers, daughters, and sisters, and who have done for us what I couldn't. Thank you for the post.
Kristin - Thanks for visiting my pop. He's going to wonder why the heck his year and a half old post is getting so much newfound attention ;)
Elaine - Be sure to thank your father for me, too :)
Jeff - Thank you for your service. We are all indebted.
Judi - Thank you for your thoughts.
Paul- I will go by and tell your dad thanks in person. Thank you for this post. And if it's okay with you I'll be giving out hugs to veterans instead of handshakes, I'm southern and it's just in my nature and upbringing.
Thanks for letting my share my story about my daddy. You and Bob who stopped by first just made me cry. It was also amazing to me that the first two people to comment about the story about MY DADDY had profile pictures with their sons. I know you are an amazing dad.
Paul - I am very thankful for those who have served and are serving. I have 2 nephews in the Marines now and pray for the safety of all...
Paul, excellent story and I agree with Debi, we just pray for all to come home safely.
After meeting Mr. Ray Slaybaugh in person and getting a chance to shake his hand and chat with him, I have even more respect for your dad. I will go to his blog in the next few minutes to leave my formal thanks.
God bless veterans. Don't you love it when folks nowadays forget the price of freedom or may not have had a family member to teach them the cost of freedom of speech, thought, life?
http://activerain.com/blogsview/266504/Some-Gave-All-Many-Gave-Some-Remembering-Americas-Veterans
Paul - thank you for sharing that. Your big heart is showing. I will go visit your dad's blog!
You are so good! I just dropped by your Dad's blog and said Hello and Thank You!
What a beautiful lineage of Veterans! God Bless our military and their families! I will stop by your Dad's next!
Excellent post, Paul! Thanks for sharing a moment and some of your history with the rest of us. I am off to say hello to Ray Slaybaugh now. :)
God Bless America, and God bless our veterans, and God Bless US ALL!!
Ok, I told stopped in and told Dad hi! If he hits you with a shoe, it wasn't because I asked him to or anything like that.
I agree with your post a smile or a thank you is so easy to do. I appreciate you taking the time to write it. I also sent a welcome to your dad.
I stopped in your Dad's post and thanked him - isn't it great to have really good genes and know that your looks won't fade? Lucky you......
Oh, and I am spending the night parked on your Dad's blog waiting on hin to hit you and Sardi with a shoe and I didn't start it....(I am sorry to say....miss us me?)
Hey your dad's hot! I'm a sucker for a guy with whiskers.
Of course he is, Georgina ;)
Julie - There will be no shoe battery this evening. Not on that blog at least. Sorry to disappoint. We could always dial up a good fragging on Lisa's blog, though.
Stick a sparkler in it, Slaybaugh.
Shoes come in pairs, so it's only appropriate to use both of them.
Driveby heelings on Veteran's Day? For shame, ladies. For shame.
Hi Paul...How can your dad not have plenty he'd like to share with us? That has to be impossible.
We all expect to hear from him shortly.
Kate
Did anyone read Paul's Dad's profile..(and he uses his real name and even refers to Paul as being related)
..take your time and go back and read the profile....I subscribed to his blog and made myself an associate....I always wanted to be associated with someone as wonderful as he is.....just ask him....(intelligence, confidence and a wicked sense of humor is genetic or contagious).
(Paul.....are we related? My son plans to be President and when he becomes President is going to have his own religion - which he so obviously is going to name The Church of John and my brother, after my sister and I moved out, had a ceremony where my parents crowned him King).
Paul ... today is a day to remember all ove our service members. Great post.
Paul - Thank you for sharing such a moving post today. Men like your dad and your grandfathers are our true heroes. God Bless them and God Bless America. I'm off to give your Dad my personal thanks.
Paul, Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I went to your Dad's post. He's as cute as all the girls were saying :) Sorry to hear he is beating you with shoes though, lol.
Paul, you have a lot to be proud of. Thanks for sharing this portion.
Oregon has a great loan program for vets who buy here. I plug every vet I can into those loans. The interest rate is so good. Anything to help their lives be a little easier.
I closed on a home a couple of weeks ago for an army soldier and my son went with me when I dropped off the keys to him. He was in uniform and my son was so excited to meet a "real live army guy." Closing on a home for a marine in Dec.
I'm always thankful for the good guys and gals.
Paul,
This is an awesome tribute to your grandfather and to all who have served. Thank you sir for the post.
Paul, what beautiful tribute to your grandfather and all the men and woman who served and are serving. When we have a face to think of it makes the holiday so much more real and pointed. Very heartfelt, thanks
Completely lost control of this thread. I'd like to thank everyone that not only commented here, but took the time to visit my dad's blog and leave well wishes. It means more than you know. My humble thanks and gratitude.
Paul,
Your family has done great things for this country. I greatly appreciate all they have done. Besides I think they raised a pretty guy.