Veterans Day evokes gratitude

The next two months we'll celebrate two patriotic anniversaries. Armistice Day is Nov. 11, now called Veterans Day, celebrating the ending of World War I. On Dec. 7, we observe the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Carl Knox gave me a letter and ballad from a friend of his, Frank A. Barta, that he said I could share with you. Frank traveled all over America and wrote, "(I) know well several of her greatest cities, ridden her rivers, camped in her forests, swum in her oceans, wandered her deserts, laughed and eaten in her small town beaneries."

The writings are too long for this column, so I pulled out some sentiments that expressed my feelings, and will share them with you: than anywhere else in the world... simply because it is my land and I love her. I love the openness and simplicity of her people, their courage and humility, their warmth and humanness." Frank concludes his ballad, "Perhaps we cannot give much, Or give long, But we can give! Not for God! Or country! Or nobility! Simply for our brother! For no reason at all." I did interviews with two of Jerry's bothers who had served in the military. I found out things that I never knew and would never have known if I hadn't asked them to tell me their story. These stories made it on the Internet and you can read about Vance and Fay Putman on the Web site: http://www.waputman.com/ main.htm.

Five other brothers-in-law (now deceased) served in World War II. One of them attended every reunion of his company up until his death. These men, as well as all who served, gave so much to make sure we live in a free country. I don't want to ever forget their sacrifice; the calendar commemorating these events helps me to remember.

Lately I've been reading stories of England's deprivation during WWII. One sentence read that the war affected everyone, if only because of the rationing. At the time I was so young, and we didn't require much that we didn't produce ourselves, so I was barely aware a war was going on. But my mother must have worried a lot, as she often got letters from her brothers who all were enlisted; most of them were in the Navy.

During the hustle and bustle of the next two months, let's remember some words that proclaim our freedom -- independence, home of the free and brave, victory, liberty, democracy, privileged, self-governed, having rights, and the lists goes on.

The word that most stands out in my mind is gratitude.

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Editor's note: This column by Marie Putman, a longtime freelance columnist, was first published Nov. 8, 2006.

Editorial on 11/15/2017