Today was a very productive and rewarding day for me. After collecting cards from Treemont Retirement Community, and receive a huge batch of letters from Cy-Lakes High School, I was plenty occupied with the inspiring words of those both young and elderly. I like to pair up any that would go well with soldiers on my list. For instance, one may be in partly spanish while another may have a lot of hobbies in common with some in particular.
After arriving at Treemont I was able to talk with Alice, a contact there who coordinates the activities for the entire community. She collected many cards that the residents had written in to express their thanks and thoughts for our soldiers overseas. Alice pulled one of the cards out and was sure that I saw it. I will not give out any names to respect their privacy, but it was a very heartfelt card from a veteran.
This card brought both smiles and tears to my face upon reading it. He joined the Army at the age of 17, in 1946. He spent over 20 years in the military and over 10 of those years, he was overseas. He told a little about his past service and at the end he concluded with what I thought was so funny. He mentioned that he had "received a call in 2004 from the Pentagon. They told me that if there were ever to be a WWIII, I would be called back to duty. If I did not come, I would be court marshalled." Whether he was serious or not, I'll never know!
Now for the most touching part of my day. The Cy-Lakes High School took part in a letter writing project. Their National Honor Society has chosen to write monthly letters to soldiers. They submitted the first batch today and there are over 250. These are not brief letters with a thank you and God bless. These are very elaborate, "give it your all" types of letters. I was a bit sniffly on several occasions. Here are a few excerpts from them, ones that really warmed my heart.
"I hope you are having an amazing day, and if you are not, I hope my happiness, yes the happiness of a stranger who appreciates your efforts, makes you feel better."
""Progress is the activity of today and the assurances of tomorrow." I like this quote because its motivating, its a good way of thinking of all the obstacles that one must overcome today to be able to assure a tomorrow."
"I believe that every human being on Earth deserves to be free, and by you fighting you are giving others a chance to have that."
"I know you don't know me and I certainly don't know you but it is a thing of beauty the connection we really have together. You are the reason why I live in America with a peaceful state of mind and the freedom everyone deserves. You are the reason why we can call ourselves, American. Your heart and soul is in a time of wretched and evil, yet you stilld ecide to defend for what you live for, you hope for, and you would die for. Such heart deserves more letters like these, as you are the reason why I could write such letters in the comfort of my home."
"Whether or not you know it, you have inspired me to choose the path of a military life. Seeing the men and women that serve our country every day gives me such pride in our country. Your service can not be measured by words or money. The amount that you do for this country every day is more than anyone could ever repay. So with this, I salute you."
"You are my hearts reminder that I always have a choice."
"What I fear, is what you embrace, and for that I thank you."
"Beauty varies. In America, beauty is Jennifer Aniston or Leonardo de Caprio. In Asia, doll-like features are beautiful. however, I believe universally, beauty is from the inside. You, are a beautiful human being."
There are so many more, but I would be here for days. After all of my reading today, I have learned one thing. Whether you have many memories and experience ahead of you, or behind you, we all share one thing in common; patriotism. Both the high school students and the residents in retirement were both very passionate about their love for our country, and those that are serving to protect it. The residents are able to share all of their experience and memories with the world, to help us understand what our heroes have gone through. Our youth are able to share their aspirations and how much they long to make a difference, using our soldiers as role models.
Thank you Treemont Retirement Community and Cy-Lakes High School!
No comments:
Post a Comment