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Have you or someone you know served in the military? What personal experiences or memories do you have from time in the service?

Do you have a family member who is a veteran? What's a memorable Veterans Day moment you've shared with them?

How has a veteran's story or experience impacted your life or perspective on Veterans Day?

Have you ever volunteered or participated in activities to support veterans on Veterans Day? What did you do, and what was your most meaningful encounter?

Do you have a story about a veteran who made a significant difference in your community or your life? How did they inspire or help you?

Are there any historical stories or accounts of veterans from the past that have left a lasting impression on you?

How do you think Veterans Day should be celebrated or observed in your community or in the nation as a whole?

Do you have a favorite quote, poem, or song related to veterans or the military that resonates with you on Veterans Day?

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While he didn't die in combat, Remembrance Day in the UK always reminds me of my grandfather who served in World War II. Every November 10 he would tell me the stories of his service in Italy and some of the friends he lost while out there - at the time I was young and just appreciated these for their dramatic content. Now that I'm older, I can properly understand the impact that experience must have had on him and how it shaped his remaining years. This time of year I make a point to always remember his sacrifice and how much of a role model he was, and still is for me even though he's moved on.

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We honor the brave men and women who have served our country with unwavering dedication and sacrifice. Thank you for your courage and commitment to defending our freedom. I also want to take this moment to acknowledge the families of veterans, who endure their own unique set of challenges and make their own sacrifices in support of their loved ones in uniform. Let us be committed to ensuring our veterans receive the care, respect and opportunities they deserve.

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Thank you to all those who served across the world. 

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Thank you to all those who served across the world. 

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Remembering my Grandpa, and Great Uncle who both served during WW II.

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Remembering my Grandpa, and Great Uncle who both served during WW II.

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James served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II earning the President's Air Medal three times, the Purple Heart, and two combat stars in the Russian-Southern France Campaign and was held as a POW. He eventually was freed, and returned home to Michigan, where he started a family and happily lived to be 90.

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Uncle Fred and his 'drive around Europe.'

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Uncle Fred and his 'drive around Europe.'

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My Uncle Fred passed only 3 years back, 75 years to the day that he returned from his self proclaimed 'driving trip around Europe'.

His drive started June 6, 1944 on Omaha beach. While thousands didn't survive the landing that day, he and his truck did, and they survived together all the way to the end of the war. As he put it: 'a few repairs were needed along the way since the Germans insisted on putting holes in everything.' His CO told him at the end of the war: "Freddie, if I could give you that truck, I would!"

He married Aunt Wilma a week after his return, and they enjoyed nearly 75 years of farming and retirement together in northern Michigan. Both lived to be over 100 years old.

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Remembering and thinking of a number of my family & friends who served

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Remembering and thinking of a number of my family & friends who served

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My grandad was a a Gordon Highlander in WW1 and was billeted in Bedford for training before going to France, it is said the local girls found these men in kilts "exoctic!", he came back from France to marry my Nannie and they went on to have 6 children some who then served in WW2. I have an uncle who was a Royal Marine and served in Belize and Borneo, a cousin who served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. An uncle who served in WW2, whos father was killed in action in WW! the day before the war ended and never met his son. And Have three friends sons who have served, one is still serving and one served in Afghanistan. My step-father served in WW2 in Malaysia & India. I am so proud of them all for what they have done for us all.

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In early 1940, a young woman of 19, Patricia Hadwin as was, joined the Auxiliary Fire Service in London little knowing that within a few months she would be helping the London Fire Brigade in putting out infernos as the Nazi war machine tried to flatten London. She, along with hundreds of other young women, risked her life every night in helping keep this country safe as the Blitz raged around them in circumstances that we cannot even begin to imagine; Patricia Hadwin was my Mum.

Later in the war, she joined the NAAFI, Navy Army Air Force Institute, an organization that during periods of war were very often based only a few miles behind the front bringing succor & sustenance to our brave young men fighting for the freedoms that anyone reading this take for granted. From 1944 to 1945 her unit was with the British Army from the landings in France right through the drive into Germany & the final collapse of the German Army & then stationed in Frankfurt until 1948.

This post is in gratitude to all those young women, mostly unrecognized, who served their country & served freedom, but mostly it’s to Patricia, probably the bravest woman I have ever met.

God bless you Mum.