Once satisfied that I had succeeded in my goal of preserving their innocent exuberance to the best of my limited ability, I relaxed and observed the parade with a sense of mild accomplishment. I remember feeling the familiar yet always stirring percussion of the bass and snare drums, echoed within my chest, as one of the local high school bands marched by, performing their musical tribute. Then, a glimmer of awareness teased my brain, or perhaps my heart, and I glanced in my father's direction, silently wondering what thoughts were going through his mind as he watched the procession. And, as he came into my view, through the lens of my inexpensive camera, for the first time I can recall, I ceased to see my father standing before me, and instead, I saw a man who was a WWII Veteran. Of course, I had always known of his service during the war, but for the first time, I saw the Veteran. My love and respect for him did not increase in that moment, for I already had those two sentiments in the fullest measure for him as a good father and trusted friend. However, my appreciation for him and for the many sacrifices he had made as a good and honorable service man grew immediately, and it has continued to grow steadily ever since.
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to recognize the man who is my father, and to thank him for his service to our country privately. However, this webpage is my way of offering my thanks to him publicly, and my sincerest thanks to all of those who have served, and all of those who continue to serve and protect my country. Thank you, God bless you, and…GOD BLESS THE USA. |
