Wednesday, November 11, 2015

BLESS OUR VETERANS! Happy Veterans' Day!

After volunteering at the 
VA CLINIC
for about a year now
I have a whole new appreciation
for our servicemen and servicewomen.

I love the older veterans.
They are so proud and even though they
may be feeble physically
their pride burns strong and hard.

There are some hard moments
as you watch them struggle to walk
to their appointments;
they are often too proud to
ride in a wheelchair.
AND there are some tender moments-
a son holding his dad's arm
on his way to treatment-
a daughter doing the mechanics
for her mother who is unable
to check in on her own-
all part of their every day life.

If this picture of an elderly vet 
hugging a young vet that has lost his arm
doesn't put a lump in your throat
or a tear in your eye
you might not "get it".
I will never ever take our freedom for granted
and I hope you don't either.
Today, my GREEN LIGHT burns proudly.
It is the little bit I can do to say
THANK YOU!

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING
OUR COUNTRY.
THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING 
OUR FREEDOM.
BUT- MOT OF ALL
THANK YOU  FOR PROTECTING
MY FAMILY.

GOD BLESS YOU TODAY AND 
EVERY DAY!

Show your support and if you see 
a veteran today,
shake his or her hand and say
Thank You!

You'll be glad you did!

And go get yourself a green light
and let it signal to the world
that you appreciate our veterans!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
your photo name

51 comments:

Susie said...

Diana, This is a great tribute. That was a touching photo of the vets. Blessings , xoxo,Susie

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Those vets are so lucky to have a great lady like you help to take care of them!!

Anonymous said...

Many in my family are Veterans (my dad, still living, is a Vet of Korean War, was navigator / ship's bugle player) and I am thankful every day for their service. Few months ago, my Mom and Dad were in a Chilis restaurant (they had gotten gift cards for Xmas) and after enjoying their evening out (which they go early as my Mom is 80 and my Dad 89 and frail/had strokes), the server told them to have a nice evening, somebody had graciously paid for their meal in honor of my Dad's service! He had gone in wearing his U S New Jersey/Vets cap that night. They were so touched. That photo of the eldery vet and Marine touches my heart. My special someone served in the US Marines, surviving the Beirut bombing in the 1980s and I am alway proud of his service to his country.
GADawn57

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Coming from a generation when we had the draft, many of my friends and relatives are veterans, including The Retired Man. They have given much and deserve to be honored and respected for their service. Thank you also for what you do in helping these men and women at the VA.

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

I make it a habit, shake the hand of every man/woman in uniform I see, and say; "Thank you for your service."

Yes, we must never forget the service of all those, who have served.

Tessa

Cranberry Morning said...

What a wonderful tribute to our veterans, Diana. The older vets are so often forgotten in this world of the young. Beautiful!

Cranberry Morning said...

What a wonderful tribute to our veterans, Diana. The older vets are so often forgotten in this world of the young. Beautiful!

Adam said...

Happy Veterans day

Stephen Andrew said...

This is a beautiful tribute. I'm sure you are a bright light in their days. Or "that crazy lady at the VA". Either way, you bring a smile.

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

H is a veteran so this day has special meaning to me.....it is also our anniversary! 48 years and counting!

Dewena said...

I'm so proud of you for the work you do there, Diana. I bet you brighten their days considerably.

God bless them all and may they know our gratitude for them and their sacrifice!

Lisa Mangold Kosmoski said...

Thanks for reminding us of this special day. Blessings ~ Lisa

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Lovely tribute, thank you for sharing your respect and honor for these brave soldiers.
We must never, ever forget those that have served.
xo
Jemma

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Beautiful tribute and post Diana, yes I have a lump in my throat. Your volunteer work is appreciated,and I'm proud to call you my friend.
xoxo

Nellie said...

Such good volunteer work you are doing, Diana! This is a beautiful tribute to our veterans! xo Nellie

Unknown said...

Beautifully said. Thanks.

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

Nicely written! My hubs just started going to the VA and always saids how nice everyone is and thanks him for his service. The largest living veterans are Vietnam vets, 253,578. I can't praise the VA, because of the lack of care to our vets, but I do thank the people who work there. My hub waits unbelievable times to get in .

Red Rose Alley said...

This is a very nice post, Diana, showing how much you appreciate the Veterans. I think the volunteer work that you do is just right for you.

Have a blessed day.

love, ~Sheri

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Beautiful tribute, Diana. My father was career Air Force and served in Vietnam when I was in high school...many sacrifices...
I am sure the veterans and their families are uplifted by your presence...

Junkchiccottage said...

Wonderful tribute my friend. I know every Tuesday morning the Vets are just waiting for their angel Diana to come and spend the day with them. I know you light up their worlds each week with your sweet smile and heart as big as the room. God bless you for your volunteering to make a day of fun and love to touch their lives. Human kindness always endures all things. These men and women have given so much to keep us safe. So happy you give back to them each week. You are my hero, my friend and special angel.
Kris

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Diana, now you have me crying! Thank you so much for all that you do with your work with our vets. We just hung the American flag on the front porch. My husband thanks servicemen and women when they are in uniform or wearing a hat the indicates they served. My husband worked for the U.S. Navy his entire career as a civilian. We know the sacrifices all too well. Thank you dear one for your beautiful post today! xo ♥

Sarah said...

Beautiful tribute, Diana! Thank you for the work you do at the VA Clinic. I know your big heart and playful sense of humor must be excellent therapy for those at the clinic.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Great job Diana, the older Vets are so proud. I always feel sorry for how we treated the vets of our era, the Vietnam vets...Wish we had done better and that they are now receiving the the honor they so deserve.

Carol

BeachGypsy said...

Thank you for that wonderful post!

BeachGypsy said...

Thank you for that wonderful post!

Richella Parham said...

YES! Thank you so much for your service at the VA, Diana. You show them you care more than just once a year! May God bless all those men and women who have served so faithfully.

Nonnie said...

I visited someone recently in the VA hospital in Dallas. A shiver did go through me walking through there and seeing all these people In one place as I thought about their service to our country. Thanks for the heads up on the green light. Ours is burning on both sides of our house.

Kim said...

Fabulous tribute Diana and you are doing a wonderful thing volunteering. My dad was a veteran and yes, so proud of his country. I carry that with me and am so thankful for all those who serve....and for all those who now care for those who served.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Such a great post, Diana. I second everything you have said and I was thinking about you last night and knew you would have a wonderful post today..Happy Veterans Day..Judy

Barb said...

Diana, this is so touching.

God bless our men and women who protect this country.

Barb

Jackie said...

Thank YOU for all you do for our veterans.
Thank you, veterans, for all you have done for us.
Love,
Jackie

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

LOVE this post! And yes, it brought tears to my eyes. We're so thankful to our veterans every single day. xoxo

Anonymous said...

So well said, Diana! It does put a lump in my throat too! Thank you for sharing such a touching and poignant post. God bless these precious veterans and our country!

This N That said...

Wonderful sentiment Diana..They have given a lot for our freedom..and we are grateful..

Celestina Marie said...

Beautiful tribute for today Diana. I honored the great vets among us and those passed on today as well. We owe so much to those that made great sacrifices for our freedom. I know you enjoy working at the VA. My mother's career was working for the VA in Michigan till she retired. When I was a teen, I sang and played the guitar in a duet team with a dear friend. Every Tuesday evening we would go to the VA and sing before the bingo games in the auditorium on the stage. It was our way of saying thank you. We learned a lot from this experience and I am grateful for the opportunity. May God Bless them all, those that served and those still serving. Great post and tribute Diana. The photo is very moving. xo

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I bet you are a blessing to them! Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, the "deer's" are cute
warmly,
deb

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Very nice tribute!! Very well said too.

Chatty Crone said...

I love the idea of the green light and plan on doing that. I didn't know you volunteered either. We have a lot of family members who have served or who are serving - to make sure we keep our freedom.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I'm sure these Vets look forward to seeing you there too! It's so nice that you do this. I saw an elderly gentleman come into the restaurant the other day with a jacket bearing the wings for being in the Air Force World War II. I got all choked up seeing him thinking of my Dad who was in the air force in WWII also. There aren't a lot of them around anymore. Bless your heart for doing your part. I will try to remember the green light for next year!

Donna said...

What a great post, Diana. Yes,.that photo really does bring a lump to my throat, and is very powerful. That's wonderful you've been volunteering at the VA, hard to believe it's been almost a year. I bet you are often the only bright spot in those vets days. Big hugs:)

Anonymous said...

I know you are such a blessing at the VA. Such a powerful photo you have shared. At the grocery store today, many of the older vets (probably the age of my late dad) were proudly wearing their hats etc. and it was an honor to shake their hands!

Gypsy Heart said...

Each time I see that photo, it brings tears to my eyes. I think that the WWII Veterans have such pride in this country and will always exhibit that. I know younger Veterans do too...just something a bit nostalgic to me about the older guys/gals. All of my uncles fought in WWII and thank God, they all came home, physically unharmed. My prayer is that more of our active military could do the same.

I didn't know about the green light ~ wonderful idea!

xo
Pat

God's Grace Overflows said...

You are such a blessing to all the Veterans you serve! What a great tribute to them. I hope you had a great day!
I didn't know about the green light either, how very cool!!
Hugs,
Amy

God's Grace Overflows said...

You are such a blessing to all the Veterans you serve! What a great tribute to them. I hope you had a great day!
I didn't know about the green light either, how very cool!!
Hugs,
Amy

RuthAnne@ mayfairecottage said...

Thanks for your heartfelt post about our veterans and thanks for the information about the green light. I wasn't aware of this tribute to our service men and women.

RuthAnne@ mayfairecottage said...

Thanks for your heartfelt post about our veterans and thanks for the information about the green light. I wasn't aware of this tribute to our service men and women.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

I am so thankful for the ones that protect our country including our son. It is great that you volunteer there! Nancy

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Diana, thank you for your work with our senior veterans and one of the hospitals who serve them. Heaven has a place for you, I'm sure of it.

Karen said...

Thank you, Diana. I join you in honoring our brave veterans.

Maureen Wyatt said...

I really like that green light idea. It's the first I've heard of it. Yes, that picture does make me cry.

tammy j said...

oh that photo.
my beloved only nephew... the marine's son... is over in the middle east on deployment right now.
we don't know specifically where he is there. only that he told me not to watch the news too much.
he said the vipers fire is rattling the hooches. but that he'll be okay.
he's flight chief with a lot of even younger men under him.
you can believe i never forget our veterans. ever.