Veterans Day Lessons
Posted By Jacque on November 11, 2009
Veterans Day. Many people don’t know much about it or even realize it is an important holiday, outside of whether or not the bank is closed today. Growing up, I really didn’t know much about it either. Though I have always considered myself to be patriotic, and I have always loved the red, white, and blue, I just didn’t know. I have always loved history itself, but it was probably one of my least favourite classes in school. As an adult, I have learned how important it is to remember these things and to take the meaning of this day to heart.
A Foreign Holiday
In spite of how I grew up not understanding these things, I am so very glad that Veterans Day is not a foreign holiday to our children. I am glad it is not something they could care less about. I am thankful that they know some of the heritage they have in their Grandparents who have served in the military. Veterans Day, to them, is the day we remember what brave men and women have done and the sacrifices they have made for our lives today. It is about men, like my Grandfather, and women, like my Grandmother, who gave of themselves so we could live in a nation where we have freedoms (right or wrong). They did not give their lives in WWII, but they gave of their lives. They weren’t sitting home, watching tv, playing video games, shopping, or hanging at the local pizza joint with their friends during the war. They were missing each other, giving of their time and their family, losing friends who did give their lives, seeing things that no human should see, during the war times.
Today, we don’t remember these things. Many of us are opposed to today’s wars, so we don’t really know these things. We don’t see the human factors.
Human factors are what keep us in touch. I missed out on that growing up. Matt was fortunate to know more about his Grandfathers, but I didn’t really know much about my Grandfather being in the War. We are determined to not let that happen with our children. We both have Grandparents who served in World War 2, and they all made it home, but they sacrificed and served for all of us today.
Grandpa Hill, Matt’s Grandfather, just left us to wait on the call of the trumpet last month. Matt’s Grandpa Dixon has been gone a long time. We have all been blessed that my Grandfather is still with us yet, and our children have gotten to know him and Grandma. They love him. They know who their Grandfathers are, and they know what they have done in service to them… and to the next generations to come.
They are growing up learning that freedom is not free; it requires an amount of sacrifice, large and small, from all of us.
Living Learning Moments
Today, we are going to get out the case I bought a couple of years ago for Grandpa Dixon’s American Flag and his medals. We are going to put it together and talk about how much we appreciate what our Grandparents gave of themselves. We are going to discuss how their Grandfathers, my Dads, and how they also gave of themselves in service to their countrymen. We are going to discuss the Dads and Moms – the children- who are giving of themselves today. This is not just about death tolls. It is about giving of our hopes and dreams to stand up for what we believe is protection for humanity. Right or wrong, these families give of themselves so we can choose to support their sacrifices or not in this country.
Whether one is for or against war, certainly we are for the people who love us enough and serve with pure hearts to hold our freedoms in this nation. Politics aside, these are real people: sons, daughters, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters; whose lives are so changed just by being in the military, at wartime or peace time.
There is a lesson in everything. These lessons are ours as parents to pass on to our children. We can be loving and compassionate, bitter and hostile, or nonchalant about veterans and Veterans Day. It is up to us to train them. Tomorrow’s generation is determined by what and how we train them in things such as this. Most World War 2 veterans have passed on already. Many more veterans have taken their place in the world. What will we teach our children of Veterans Day? More importantly, have we taught them the real lessons of sacrifice? Have we lived a life of gratitude for the freedoms we have today? Are we teaching them to be responsible with these freedoms?
Our discussion today will include each grandparent and how his and her sacrifices have influenced our lives. We will recognize what a great heritage we have in our own family. We will discuss how the world is a very different place, but how many things have been gained or lost in each generation in the wars we have participated in. We will discuss these things because they are important from a historical viewpoint. They are important from a generational viewpoint. The most important thing we will discuss today about Veterans Day and sacrifice, though, is even more important to pass on to our children. It is something that will not only give them freedom in this world, but the freedom they need for eternity.
The most important thing we are going to discuss as we put together the flag display and put Grandpa’s flag into it is the work of Yahweh-God in giving his only son, and our Messiah’s sacrifice when he gave his own life for the life of every man and woman from the beginning of time on the cross. Our children know of the sacrifice of Yehoshua-Jesus. They have grown up knowing it. But, what an opportunity to again walk with them and talk with them about it.
Chances are that our little Samuel will not get to know his final Great- Grandpa and Grandma too well. All of our children at their ages do know Grandpa Hill and Grandpa and Grandma Walters, except for Lucy, and what a blessing that is. We will continue to pass this heritage down and tell of the love they had for our children before they were ever born. We will learn a lot today, laugh, and probably cry a bit, too. One thing I know is that Veterans Day will be remembered as a very special day in the Dixon household.
be very blessed today~
Be sure to read about Jocelyn’ Veterans Day Hero: O Hero Of Mine at A Pondering Heart.
On Grandparents by Amanda: A Heavy Heart, They Really Are “Grand”!
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That was beautifully written, Mrs. Dixon! My mama’s dad, my grandfather, is a veteran also. I am very thankful for the sacrifices my family and other families have made for our freedom. Today is also my own dad’s birthday.
Blessings,
Miss Hannah
http://hannahbraboy.com
Miss Hannah´s last blog ..Let the voting begin!
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Great post. I only know my grandmother on my mother’s side, and as she was born in 1950 she does not remember WWII. However she did serve in the Army as a cook and is very proud of her time of service to her country. My paternal grandfather served in WWII and was among those soldiers who liberated Belsen. He died before I was born but I cherish the fact that he was so brave and gave up so much to protect freedom and defeat evil. In the UK we call 11/11 Armistice Day, in memory of the end of WWI. Sadly this year there are no longer any WWI veterans left in the UK as they have all passed away earlier this year, but it is our duty to remember all who have gone before us and all who still serve.
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A very inspiring post, Mrs. Dixon! None of my family members (to my knowledge) fought in WWII but I honor those who did! How wonderful to have the heritage that you do! My Grandfather was born in 1930 and so was his wife … I really want to ask them questions – I wonder how much they remember from the war? They live out of state but I plan to ask the next time I see them!
To the KING be all the glory!
Rebekah
BLOG: http://www.donotgrowweary.com/blog
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
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