For the tenth consecutive year I attended a Veterans' Day celebration at one of my grandsons' schools. My grandsons are spaced just right to have kept me in that position for these past 10 years and I anticipate maybe three more such years before Michael moves on to middle school. This all started when my oldest, now 14, called me one night when he was 4 and asked me could I "be his bet-er-ran" at school. Of course I said yes, having no idea what a "bet-er-ran" was until I realized Veterans' Day was coming up that week.
I admit that when I had my parents sign for me to join the Navy when I was 17, it was for the sole purpose of fulfilling my military obligations so I could race. The draft was in effect in those days and I couldn't start racing until I got my military service out of the way. After I was in, I allowed the Navy to educate me in their Accelerated "A" schools and actually served my country well, I think, but never realizing that all these years later it would mean so much to me be able to be the "bet-er-ran" for my grandsons, Andrew, Sam and Michael. I did my duty during the Viet Nam era but serving where I did in the Navy it was like a continuous Carribean cruise. I never felt quite comfortable accepting the accolades to Veterans until a pastor, who had been a Major in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corp. told me one time that anyone who served their country in the Armed Forces IS a Veteran and IS a hero for that service. Although I still deny the "hero" definition, I finally accept the Veteran or "bet-er-ran" designation proudly.
I am so proud that at the end of all our Racers Reunion Radio shows, someone, Sam, Jeff, Wally, Jerry or Patrick will always thank the Veterans for what they do. When I first started attending these elementary school celebrations, all the "Vets" were as old as me. The past few years, and especially today, I noticed there are many "Vets" in their late 20s or early 30s. Our Country can be proud of the young men and women produced to carry on the cause of freedom in our country and throughout the world. There are younger Vets but they don't have kids in school yet.
Stock car racing history is full of Veterans who served their country and three that quickly come to mind are Nelson Stacy, Bud Moore, and Harry Hyde. There are many, many more, just read the profile pages on Racers Reunion. Guess that's one reason why it seems to me that stock car racing fans appreciate the Vet more than the general public. Mike Sykes had a post on his Facebook page that he was in the Veterans' Parade in his city on Sunday and there were actually more participants in the parade than spectators along the route. That is a shame, but thanks, Mike, for your service. Speaking of which, Columbia has it's Veteran's Day Parade in two hours. I'm putting on my patriotic shirt and heading out to salute the Veterans in that parade.
May God continue to bless the United States, and especially bless all those men and women who serve to keep the freedom alive which we all enjoy.
Tim
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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:57PM
