Today is Veteran's Day. Veteran's Day has always been a special day for me, even from childhood. My mother would remind me that my dear, beloved Granddaddy fought in World War II. He left his home, his wife, and his three daughters to go to the European theatre to fight for their freedom. She would also remind me of my Great-Uncle Steve Skinner. I never met Uncle Steve, although I used to sleep in a room with a large portrait of him hung on the wall. I only knew that he had been killed during World War II. It wasn't until my sister contacted a gentleman who served with Uncle Steve that I found out about his service. This gentleman wrote her how Uncle Steve was so proud of being a Southerner and a Floridian. He wrote how he loved Uncle Steve's Southern accent and Southern manners. But he also wrote that Uncle Steve knew he would never return to his beloved Florida once they went overseas. And Uncle Steve was right. He was hit by artillery fire and his body was never found. He never returned, not even to be buried, to his home in Florida.

Now, on Veteran's Day, I think of those who fought in Korea, Viet Nam, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. I think of the men and women fighting right now in the Middle East, trying to keep us safe from the growing threat of terrorism, as they also try to keep fragile democracies alive. I think of my former students who have and are serving. I think of the ones who have returned; they are different; they became men of strength, honor, and valor. I pray that our President-Elect will continue to support our troops and give them the necessary materials to continue their fight.

Finally, I look around my church at all the elderly gentlemen. Many of these men served during the greatest war--World War II. They are silent about their service; they are proud of their country. I am brought to tears to think what some of these men witnessed and endured in service to their country.

God bless America! God bless our military! God bless the veterans!