This is our national holiday for remembering those who served in the Armed Services, and lost their lives, while doing their duty, serving their country. There is not really much we can do to repay these heroes and heroines that have given their all, but we can put flags and flowers on their graves, and we can bow our heads in prayerful remembrance for them, now that they are in a better place.
I have a Korean War era army veteran across the street here in Bloomington. He is 87 years old, great hearing, sharp as a tack, but awfully beat up physically. He and his wife have lived on this block since 1956, or thereabouts.
He is a nice, talented, quiet man, a math teacher and high school football coach in Minneapolis for many, many years. We have lived here 21 years, and 5 times a year, he flies the flag. His flag holder is 12 feet in the air. This morning is the first time that I noticed that he did not put up the flag. He and his wife were afraid of him falling and getting hurt, so he did not dare to put the flag out.
I asked him if he would like me to put up his flag, and he assented right away. I put out their flag, and told them that I would be back before dusk to take it down for them.
It was a small thing, but is a way to honor our veterans while still here. I never served but deeply appreciate the sacrifices of those that did serve, especially those that gave their lives in service of this greatest nation.
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