On November 11th, sleep in, go shopping, see a movie. But please do take a moment to remember what this day is really all about.
At our house, we will be lighting a candle for my special army buddies, Colonel Earl Edward McBride, Jr., Harold Nye, and Donald Hogue. I am so fortunate to have met them, and so grateful to them for their friendship, for the stories they shared, and for their service to our country. They went to war as untested young men, and came home heroes, bearing scars inside and out that would change them forever.
I will be writing to my friend Jack Oliver, a very kind and wise WWII vet who went to boot camp with my Uncle Lewis in 1944. I will thank him for his service to our country in a horrible war that saved the world. Jack helped me understand not only what it meant to serve in the war, but also to understand the wrenching pain of coming home, when so many young men did not.
And tomorrow, as we light our candles yet again, we will be thinking of my father, Harry Baltuck, and Remembering Uncle Lewis.
All words and images copyright 2012 Naomi Baltuck.
Writing Between the Lines 
Love the candle-lighting tribute, Naomi! Never thought to do that. You are so special. 🙂
Dear Sue,
On this day, we are celebrating all veterans, but when we light a candle for Grandpa Harry and Uncle Lewis, it puts a face on our heroes, and makes us mindful that every one of them was a real person, who loved and was loved. It makes us mindful of what they were defending, and what they and their loved ones had at stake.
Thank you, Sue, for your generous comments! It is always so good to hear from you.
They must never be forgotten. I’ll be making music for remembrance tomorrow.
Dear Sarah,
What a fitting tribute! Music is a shortcut, straight to the heart.
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat.Com™ and commented:
Veterans Day ain’t just about the last day off work of the fall season. Thank you for this post Ms. Naomi.
Thank you, Mr. JB, for passing on the word.
😉
Veterans Day, Remembrance Day in Canada, other countries have theirs as well. Sadly to those who benefit the most from this, it is just another day to conduct business as usual.
I’m afraid every holiday is becoming just another extra shopping day. For this day, especially, it seems a shame. Thank you for stopping by and bringing your insight into this conversation.
And here in the UK it is known as ‘Poppy Day’… “In Flanders Fields the poppies grow, amongst the grave stones, row by row.” Sorry if I have misquoted, but you get my drift….
I remember as a child we used to bring donations for veterans to school, and wear little red poppies in our buttonholes on this day.
It’s important. We can’t forget.
Thank you for your visit, Lynne, and for taking a moment to comment.
Thanks for the reminder. I will be thinking of all veterans, but especially my Uncle Royce, whose helicopter was shot down in Vietnam just two weeks before his tour was up. Bless them all.
So sad!
Thank you for the beautiful post, Naomi!
Thank you, Amy, for your visit. As always, it is good to hear form you.
A beautiful shrine and fitting remembrance, letters are the best, a tradition I hope never to give up on.
Long after computers become obsolete, letters written with a good old ink pen will still survive.
What a beautiful reminder of Veteran’s Day. Thanks Naomi for your graciousness and your lovely photos.
Dear Kourtney,
Thanks so much for stopping by, and for sharing your very kind thoughts.
It’s so important to remember those brave man and women. Thanks for sharing your precious photos, Naomi.
Thank you, ad, for your sweet comments. It does feel very important to honor their sacrifice.
A lovely tribute. Thanks.
Thank you, Elyse.
Beautiful and inspiring. With gratitude in remembrance to all the Warriors who guard our freedom and rights.
Dear Terri,
Thank you for that!
That top photo is lovely. I think it tells a story by itself.
Dear C.C.
Thank you! One picture is word a thousand words!
thanks for the reminder. beautiful candle tribute!
Hi Lisa,
I appreciate your stopping by, and taking the time to share your thoughts.
i love the candle idea and just have time to dig some out
It makes our observation of the day seem so much more focused and personal. I hope that you are healing well, and feeling better, Paula.
Beautiful tribute. Thanks, Naomi.
Thank you, Cathryn!
I’m going to stop what I’m doing and write a note to my friend Steve. He is an Army Chaplain, and he misisters to families when their loved ones return home after giving up their lives to keep the rest of us safe. I can’t imagine living with so much sadness and loss everyday.
Oh, Jennifer, that would be one of the hardest jobs in the army. Sort of like working a doctor who specializes in oncology, where such a big part of the job is delivering bad news.
Beautiful Tribute Naomi.
Beautiful words.
Thank you, Pablo. SO good to hear from you!
Poignant post, as always.
Thank you, Annie. It is always good to hear form you.
Lovely tribute, Naomi. “Lest we forget” ♥
Thank you, Paula.
Thank you for this thoughtful post, Naomi. I tried to comment earlier with the ipad and ran into “issues.” Happens it was a happy operator error because the comment was WAY too long…became my post today. 😉 Nikki
Dear Nikki,
Thank you for your very kind response. I went over to your blog, and was very touched by your post.
Beautiful post!
Thank you! I appreciate your visit, and your taking the time to comment. I also want to congratulation you on your well deserved 2012 blog of the Year Award, and thank you for nominating me for the same!
Wherever it may be, I think every war veteran deserves remembrance. 🙂
What a touching tribute to your family and the ones who’ve lost their lives for the country.
Dear Grace,
Thank you for your kind words. What you say is true. On a recent trip to Turkey my son and I visited Gallipoli, where there was a terrible loss of life on both the British and the Turkish sides. Now there are cemeteries there that honor them all as victims of a terrible war.
That first photo is in itself a beautiful tribute! Thank you Naomi.
Thank you, Madhu!
What a beautiful piece… Thanks for sharing it. 😉
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Thanks for posting this. Very touching.
Hi, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
Cheers(:
http://jamiecblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Reblogged this on Writing Between the Lines.
Lovely tribute, Naomi.
Thank you, Jill. What they experienced is unfathomable for those of us who have never experienced the horrors of the battlefield. If our leaders had, perhaps they would not be so quick to send our youth into the fray.
I never forget Naomi having been brought up by my grandparents – Remembrance Day is as you wrote of your father (I followed the links) a day to remember the ones who did come home too – never quite the same.
Thank you for sharing your very kind thoughts, Laura. The high cost of war is like the ripples in a pond that go on and on through the generations. I hope to learn more of your story one day–is there a link I might follow?
wrote a little here on my wordy blog
http://telltaletherapy.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/on-this-day/
Touching sentiments Naomi. I remember your poignant tributes.
My dad instilled a gratitude in us. He kept alive old stories. I have a touching letter from a young relative who wrote from Vimy Ridge in WWI a week before he was killed that I am thinking to give to the Canadian War museum here.
Wow! What a treasure! Would you consider doing a blog post on it one day? That would be a powerful piece of writing!
PS thank you for sharing your stories!!
I remember this from last year. Glad you reposted it.
Thank you, Elyse!
It is fitting that we show our respect and never forget what hardships soldiers suffered before and still do today to make our lives safe. My hope is one day peace will reside everyone on this earth.
I love your idea of lighting candles. ❤ ❤ ❤
Hi Tess,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this subject. It is disgraceful that we send our kids off to fight and die, and when they return home, broken, we don’t take proper care of them. I share your wish for peace.
Indeed. Our government is not better at it either. The soldiers did their duty, put their lives on the line and when they return, needing help, they are ignored and short-changed in every way possible. Disgusting.
Disgusting, and heartbreaking!
Indeed.
My thoughts and prayers to our heroes, to our veterans, to your family who fought and served our country so all of us can enjoy the fruits of freedom and equality. A beautiful, inspiring tribute. Full of love and gratitude. Thank you for sharing and for helping all of us to always remember. Best of blessings to you and your family.