Veteran's Day 2013

Today is a day of Thanks to all the men and women who have signed at the dotted line on a blank check payable up to their lives. 

I will thank every Veteran I meet today (as I do everyday) with sincere appreciation. 

Remember.... Their Sacrifice. Our Freedom. 

Meet A Veteran Day Media Coverage

For those of you who don't know, I live in a uniquely small town. How small do you ask? Small enough the newspaper, The Lassen Times is published once a week. All stories have to be submitted Thursday by noon, and the paper is delivered the following Tuesday. Oh... and did I mention the newspaper is free? One might think with such a small paper the names, places, and basic facts of the stories are accurate.... well I'll just say we get what we pay for.

As is the case every year, Veterans Day is widely celebrated in the local paper. This year, Words For Warriors had two pictures from Meet A Veteran Day included in their collage of Veterans Day celebrations.

I know the writing is small under the photos in these pictures, but the paper gave the credit of Meet A Veteran Day to the Janesville Faculty.  Janesville Faculty have gone out of their way to thank me for the assembly. I have also received much gratitude from Veterans.  Even though the paper got it wrong... again... I feel honored to have put the assembly together and look forward to next years assembly.

Remember....

Their Sacrafice. Our Freedom.

Meet A Veteran Day Student Artwork

Students at Janesville School created some amazing artwork for the Meet A Veteran Day Assembly. Some teachers had their entire class participate, others offered extra credit, and some students had so much pride they created several pieces. The theme was "Patriotism." Below is a few examples of the patriotic artwork the students made.

This flag is approximately 6 feet wide and 8 feet long. It is made from the APE after school program participants hand prints.

Semper Paratus!

Semper Fi!

This We'll Defend!

Fly-Fight-Win!

Honor, Courage, Commitment

A students message to his Uncle.

This hand print flag and the artwork below was courtesy of the kindergarden class.

Art work donned the walls of the gym as well as the front of the stage.

 Below is a few of my favorite pieces of student art. 

Meet A Veteran Day School Assembly

The goal of Meet A Veteran Day at Janesville School was to say Thank You For Your Service to our local Veterans and encourage direct communication between the students and the Veterans. I'm proud to announce the event was a success and here's what success looks like...

Students and faculty preparing for the flag salute.

The Veterans and I salute the flag.

Katie, a student at Janesville ROCKED the Star Spangled Banner.

A Janesville Student Body Officer read a Never Forget message explaining the symbolism of the POW/MIA table.

Janesville Students listened to their questions being read by Student Officers then waited patiently for the Veterans answers. 

Thanks to the Veterans who answered the students questions. Some were family members of Janesville Students. 

Corporal Barron, fresh from Afghanistan brought some of his gear for the students to see and try on.

From the students I have had a chance to talk to, they loved hearing the answers the Veterans gave to their questions. One student's question directed to the Navy asked if they'd ever been swimming in the water and what kind of fish they saw.  The answer was quite fascinating as the Navy man was in charge of retrieving a torpedo and just before he and his men got into the water the ship signaled there were SHARKS! Luckily, they retrieved the torpedo and no one was hurt. 

I hope to make Meet A Veteran Day an annual event at Janesville School. I would like to thank Subway and Janesville Parent Teacher Organization for helping to sponsor the event. I would also like to say thank you to my friends, Sheri D., Tawyna M., Donna K., Shannon M., Delia B. Kanani, Amanda M., Janesville Student Body, and the Janesville Faculty. Meet A Veteran Day was a success because of all of you. 

Lastly, I would like to say to ALL Active Duty and Veterans THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Meet A Veteran Day-Coming Together

For those of you who don't know, Words For Warriors is putting on an assembly at Janesville School on Thursday, November 10th called Meet A Veteran Day. We first announced it here. I am proud to say this event is coming together.

One of those friends I'd like to thank is Kanani from The Kitchen Dispatch . Kanani was nice enough to send Army Flair which will be given to the winners of the student art contest.

I would also like to send much gratitude to my friend and Blue Star Mom Sheri D.  Sheri and her Mr. Subway own the local Subways and have thrown in 10 coupons for free sandwiches to sweeten the pot!

The Air Force Recruiter was out of the office today.  The Army Recruiter was rushing out the door, and the Marine Recruiter gave me a cute smile. 

But the NAVY recruiter..... 

That's right there's so much you have to turn your head sideways.

There will be pictures, perhaps the local newspaper, and hopefully video to cover this 1st Annual Meet A Veteran Day. I'll keep you posted! 

Meet A Veteran Day

Veterans Day is a little less than a month away, Words For Warriors is doing their part by holding Meet A Veteran Day at Janesville Union School on November 10th from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.  This will be an event where select students will get to ask questions of Veterans from the various Wars.  Words For Warriors is also supplying school curriculum for any teacher who would like it. The curriculum is from The History Channel event Take A Veteran To School Day.

The goal is to help educate students on who Veterans are, why they are important, and how to thank a Veteran. If anyone would like more information, please feel free to contact me. I am very excited about this major school event and will keep you all posted!

Note: The above poster is available for free download and printing at http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

To Our Heros On Veterans Day

This is the 100th post for Words For Warriors. It is also Words For Warriors 1st Birthday. What is our birthday wish? That every Veteran and Active Duty Service member know they are appreciated, loved, and missed. THANK YOU.

You are our HEROS. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

Forget Me Not

I have been thinking a lot about Veterans Day, which is on Thursday, November 11th. I know my friend Spockgirl made this post in honor of the fallen, but I also think it speaks volumes about the living... whom should also be remembered. 

Veteran's Day is about those who have served, continue to serve, and honoring their sacrifices. I have heard from more than one Soldier, Marine, Airman, and Sailor how they feel forgotten. I tell each one, "You and your sacrifices are not forgotten."

The following post has been reposted with permission by Spockgirl Musings, a Canadian who knows War and its hardships extend beyond boundaries, to the point she is supporting Team Navy in Soldiers Angels Project Valour-IT.

Forget Me Not

by George Pirie (Scottish-Canadian poet b. 1799) 

This little flower with azure eye,

You love it lady tell me why;

It seems to me nor rich nor rare,

It breathes no fragrance on the air,

Nor splendid form nor colours bright,

May give it value in thy sight.

If not for perfume nor for show,

Pray tell me why you prize it so.

It is not rich, it is not rare,

This little flower – yet, ah, how fair.

Though it no merit else may claim

But this, “the magic of a name,”

Each tiny leaf into my ear

Is breathing names to memory dear;

The dead, the absent, the forgot,

Are whisp’ring here, “Forget-me-not.”

by George Pirie

*****

To honour the fallen in Afghanistan from the last five days: 

Maine, Illi, Mass, NC, Cali (2), NJ, Md, Tex and U.K.

*****

Forget me nots are very tiny, plain, but pretty, pale blue or pale pink flowers with yellow centres. I was very pleased to find that this year I had both colours in the garden. They are a symbol of hope, true love and remembrance.

Folklore:

In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "Forget-me-not." It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love.

(from Wikipedia)