Snow - A Veteran's Day Story
To those of you reading this, thank you.
Some of you know that I'm in JROTC - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Today, my battalion hosted a dinner for the veterans of my town. We had a few people go up as guest speakers, and one was the father of a soldier that died last year on November 14. His name is Mr. Snow.
Mr. Snow's son, Jesse, was a hero. He died saving his comrades. He received the silver star award, along with recognition from the state of Michigan. His father cried as he told his son's story.
During the telling of Jesse, I found myself overwhelmed. I was standing outside the kitchen door, so I quietly slipped into the kitchen and rushed to the small bathroom in the back. I blew my nose and wiped the few tears from my eyes, thinking I was alright.
Then I went into the main kitchen and saw Josh. Josh is like my brother. I love him to death. However, he and a few other friends I love very dearly are enlisting in the military. And I just thought of how, in a few years, I might be hearing one of their stories, how they died. I began to cry once more, hugging Josh, which is when Sarge, our Army Instructor, walked in. He gave me a hug and set me to work, trying to take my mind off of Jesse.
When I finished working - serving food to the veterans, to be specific - Sarge asked how I was doing. Upon telling him I was unsure, he told me I needed to meet someone.
That someone was Mr. Snow. I introduced myself, shaking his hand. Sarge told him how I had cried over his son. This man, who I had known for twenty seconds, embraced me in a hug.
He told me to remember not only Jesse, but all of the POW/MIAs of our nation. To be thankful of the veterans who have served our country. Giving me another hug, Mr. Snow thanked me. I returned to the kitchen, thinking of what he said.
One day isn't enough. Over one million lives have been lost in wars. Everyone should set aside some time each day, a minute, ten, it doesn't matter, to think of the courageous people we have protected our nation. Take a moment to thank them. To pray for them. To cry for them. Because they deserve more than just one day. They deserve an entire year.
Some of you know that I'm in JROTC - Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. Today, my battalion hosted a dinner for the veterans of my town. We had a few people go up as guest speakers, and one was the father of a soldier that died last year on November 14. His name is Mr. Snow.
Mr. Snow's son, Jesse, was a hero. He died saving his comrades. He received the silver star award, along with recognition from the state of Michigan. His father cried as he told his son's story.
During the telling of Jesse, I found myself overwhelmed. I was standing outside the kitchen door, so I quietly slipped into the kitchen and rushed to the small bathroom in the back. I blew my nose and wiped the few tears from my eyes, thinking I was alright.
Then I went into the main kitchen and saw Josh. Josh is like my brother. I love him to death. However, he and a few other friends I love very dearly are enlisting in the military. And I just thought of how, in a few years, I might be hearing one of their stories, how they died. I began to cry once more, hugging Josh, which is when Sarge, our Army Instructor, walked in. He gave me a hug and set me to work, trying to take my mind off of Jesse.
When I finished working - serving food to the veterans, to be specific - Sarge asked how I was doing. Upon telling him I was unsure, he told me I needed to meet someone.
That someone was Mr. Snow. I introduced myself, shaking his hand. Sarge told him how I had cried over his son. This man, who I had known for twenty seconds, embraced me in a hug.
He told me to remember not only Jesse, but all of the POW/MIAs of our nation. To be thankful of the veterans who have served our country. Giving me another hug, Mr. Snow thanked me. I returned to the kitchen, thinking of what he said.
One day isn't enough. Over one million lives have been lost in wars. Everyone should set aside some time each day, a minute, ten, it doesn't matter, to think of the courageous people we have protected our nation. Take a moment to thank them. To pray for them. To cry for them. Because they deserve more than just one day. They deserve an entire year.
1 Comment
This is beautiful. 5 stars. :'(