In the United States November 11th is Veterans Day every year. On this day we honor all of the men and women who have served our nation to preserve our freedom.
I would like to pay tribute to and honored all men and women from all countries who have fought in the many wars that have taken place around the world. No matter what country these people were from they were fighting for what they believed was the betterment of their country.
If it were not for these brave men and women we would not be living the lives we live today.
I would like to especially honor my father, Keith E. Wallace by dedicating this post to him.
My father served in World War II as an officer in the Merchant Marines. He served on a Liberty Ship as a radio operator, transporting troops to Europe and back.
During WWII the Merchant Marines who served on ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean and being used by the Armed Forces were made active duty military. However when the war was over those Merchant Marines were never given an official discharged as an active duty member of the military.
Liberty Ship
My father finally received his official discharge as an active duty member of the military on Veterans Day, November 11, 1998. After more than 50 years of waiting he was finally an official Veteran. This was a huge honor for him. I remember him being so proud of the fact that his country had finally recognized him as a Veteran. He was buried with military honors just like all of the other veterans.
June 23, 1923 - May 18, 2009
I love comments, so please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to get comments about a Veteran you know or would like to honor. Maybe you are Veteran, if that is the case let us know and where you served.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing. Thinking of dad today and proud that he served our country and was finally honored for that!
Loretta,
Thanks for coming over to my post and thanks for sharing.
Dee Ann
Nice!
Bruce,
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Dee Ann
Hi Dee Ann,
It’s terrible that the veterans of WWI & II had to wait for the recognition which should have been given to them all directly. And not only that, so many suffered so much with traumas and loss after their return home and in not getting the help and support needed, suffered more and for longer. All there to send them, nothing on return, have we learnt …. Well, I’ve had my vent ….
I’m glad your dad received his honors before passing away Dee Ann (which by the way, you look so much like him) he’ll be right proud of you for this wonderful post.
Take Care
Julie
Julie,
I am just glad that he received his discharge before he passed away. I am not sure we ever learn anything. Seems we just keep repeating.
Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great week end.
Dee Ann
What a beautiful tribute Dee Ann. I’m sure your Dad was so honored to finally have gotten the recognition he so deserved.
You are right, had it not been for all the men who served our country, we would not be where we are today nor have the freedom we all love so much and take for granted.
You know, I don’t ever recall my father receiving that honor. We did get him a plaque when he passed away stating that he did serve his country. He also was in the Navy and was on rescue ships. His job was to board sinking ships and get all the important documents out before it went down for good. Oh, and he was based in Alaska so you can imagine how cold that water was. Wow, I don’t know if I could do that.
I’m sorry for just now making it by but thank you for doing this tribute.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted…How To Never Run Out Of Blog Post Ideas
Adrienne,
What your Dad did sounds very dangerous. I do not think I could do that. I am not into going into cold water or sinking ships. What a job. I think that should go down as one of the most dangerous jobs.
I think we were really only aware of the discharge of my father because it took over 50 years to come. So when he finally received it, it was a really big deal.
Thank you for stopping by my blog and adding to the content. I think we need to remember our veterans.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Dee Ann
Hi Dee,
Sorry I am late,
Here in the UK we have a similar anniversary, only we call it Armistice Day.
But the name isn’t that important, what is that we do remember all those brave men (and women made their contribution too) who fought, and in too many cases died, when their country needed them.
I particularly remember my Great Uncle Herbert who died, literally at the end of WWI, and my father who was on the beaches at Dunkirk, was one of the first into Belsen. He died in 1997, leaving me the proud owner of his medals.
It is great to know that when there is trouble about, our two great nations support each other.
Barry
Barry,
Thank you for contributing to my post by remembering your uncle and father.
It really is not the day that it is done but that we remember.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great week.
Dee Ann
Hi Dee Ann,
What a great tribute to your father. It’s thanks to men like hime world wide that we have the freedom we have today. My Grand father was in WWII and died in France digging up land mines.
I think every nation should have a day of remembrance to show our gratitude for everyone who took part and their families that suffered during such times.
As Barry above said, we have Armistice Day here in the UK. Which in recent years guests to our country have tried to spoil with their burning of our poppies and chanting hate messages through our period of silence. Disgust doesn’t cover it Dee Ann, it’s through people like your father and my Grand father that these people are able to come here and then to preach hate is an insult to everyone.
Any way I could rant about that all day so I’ll stop it now
A great dedication post Dee Ann, and I’m with you all the way: Lest we forget my friend, lest we forget.
Respect and Regards,
Barry
Barry,
That is horrible that people would try to ruin your day of remembrance.
People do the same over here but I have never heard of it on veterans day. Because our country gives them right they do not have in their own country they use those rights to protest against us.
We see a lot of people move out of the city because they want to live in the country. But, when they get to the country they want to change everything to be like the city they came from. They do not want people target practicing, they don’t want to smell animals and on and on. So they set out to make laws to make the country in to the city they left. I think this kind of the same thing.
Thank you for your comment and telling about your grandfather. I am sorry he died but he died to give us freedom so he was a hero.
Have a great week.
Dee Ann
Oh there’s some that want to turn this country into the one they left and they’re the ones chanting hatered. But that’s another topic, just a shame they can’t settle in and live in peace as some many do.
Like wise Dee Ann, so was your father.
Take care
Barry
We salute those who served in protecting our country. We wouldn’t be in good hands if it weren’t for them.
Alfred,
Would not be in very good hands without them.
Thank you for stopping by.
Dee Ann
Hi Dee,
It is wonderful to remember the past, specially remembering those who gave their lives for us. Thanks for the post. My grandfather died in the philippines during worldwar 2. He was captured by the japs and killed. Even though of what happen my grand mother is always happy to tell us the bravery of my grandfather. Can you notify me if ever you create a blog like this? Thanks.
Maribel,
I am sorry about your grandfather. He was a hero though and we do need to remember.
Thank you for stopping by my and commenting.
Dee Ann
Hi Dee,
Thanks for accepting my comment. We are so proud of my grandfather. If only by chance I will also do the same. Maybe it is in the blood
Maribel,
No problem, I am glad that you shared about your grandfather.
Have a great weekend.
Dee Ann
I honestly don’t know any veteran’s personally. My family never went to war – they were all farmer’s on both sides of the family for the most part, so I believe they were excluded?
So sad that your dad is gone, but he did a good job serving for our country and that is something any daughter would be proud of!!
Thanks for sharing the story and sorry I missed it when it was originally posted.
Linda
Linda,
I think some of the farmers were excluded but there were several boys in my father’s family and only so many got to stay at home to farm.
My father decided to join before they drafted him as did my uncle.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…7-Links Challenge – A New Look