I watched 6th grade students listen to military veterans tell their story yesterday. One by one, each gentleman walked up to the podium and explained the way it was. These experiences would leave an indelible mark years later and be forever part of the way it is. During their service, their celebrity was well hidden by their uniforms and military conformity. However, each has a story that makes their life famed. Their stories didn’t include over- exaggerated fanfare. They told us of the military tents they called home, the friends they made and the packages sent to them by their mothers. The kids saw the simple tools they used to shave, brush their teeth and keep them warm, despite the conditions. We learned that Spam isn’t just something you see on a supermarket shelf as you meander down the aisle. For the soldier, it was as close to getting a home-cooked meal as you could ever hope for. Because of their own struggle for normalcy during conflict, they have allowed us to have our own piece of normal at home. For the children, it came to mind yesterday that call of duty really isn’t a video game; it’s a way of life. Some had old tattered photos and once again the importance of photographic history came front and center. In the photos, the veterans looked young and their innocence looked no different than the students watching them. I looked at their photos and felt some strange form of envy that their experiences were so rich. In seeing them, I too wanted to capture a piece of their storied lives. We can honor their celebratory lives by living ours in gratitude. Hardly a tall order when you think of how much harder they had it. We should honor them, because they live or lived with honor. Thanks to all that served.
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