Thank-You on Veteran’s Day

I don’t even know how you really say thank-you to all of the men and women who have selflessly, with great courage and bravery, protected our nation and the freedoms we enjoy.  I know that all the blessings we have as American citizens has come at a great price, a great sacrifice.  So, today, I want to remember and thank God for all who have served and for those who are serving.  And I want to remember some who are special to me.

Ova Dean Baker.   “Grandpa Baker”

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Grandpa Baker was an ornery old cuss.  He is now deceased but lives big in my memory!  Thank-you for serving our country, Grandpa, and for marrying my Grandma and raising her babies as your own. You were a hero in so many ways.

Donald Baker, the day he left for Viet Nam.  “Uncle Donald.”

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Uncle Donald used to babysit me and play Beatles records and say “Your mom wears combat boots, ” which was simply not true.  He was a rascal of an uncle who impacted my life more than he knows.  I love him him because he reads my blog sometimes and gets very soft-hearted (his wife told me).  Thank-you Uncle Donald for being a kid who went to war and became a bigger-than-life hero to me and all of your nieces and nephews when there weren’t many to be found.  I love you!

Everett Allison.  “Grandpa Allison.”

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He served in WWII with a wife and 5 children at home.  He managed to do that and still be an amazing husband and father all at once.  He called me “Debbie Jean” the only person in the world who did, and wrote me actual letters – in the mail!  I admired him so much and miss him deeply.  He was like a movie star to me and since he passed a way a few years ago, the night sky has never again shined as brightly.

Raymond Rhoades, Dave’s Dad

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Thank-you, dad for serving your country with honor.  There is nothing we love more than getting you talking about all you remember and the ways you saw the faithful hand of God at work in your behalf when you served in Germany during WWII.  It is hard to believe how young you were and how much of your faith was being built and perfected during those long days away.  You have lived an admirable life and have our deepest love and respect.  Thank-you for serving your country and showing us how to have honor and respect and love for this country.

Garry Rhoades (Dave’s brother) and his son  Tim Rhoades (our nephew).

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Our nephew Tim is still in the Army National Guard.  This is him a couple of years ago with his maternal grandfather (Mr. Raymond Groves, now deceased), a veteran, his paternal grandfather (Dad Rhoades, see above),  and his father Garry Rhoades, Dave’s brother.  Garry passed away a year and a half ago having suffered medical problems due to Agent Orange exposure during his time in Viet Nam.  He was never bitter, never blamed the military.  Garry remained a patriotic citizen until the day he died, so proud to have served his country.  Thank-you, gentlemen, all of you, so much.   And Tim?  God bless you and keep you!  We have you in our hearts!

And God bless those serving actively today!

Thank-you  to all who have served, thank-you so much.  In my struggle to express my gratitude (me, a person who is rarely at a loss for words), my friend Marie wrote beautifully.  You may read her lovely, heartfelt words here.

With great gratefulness…Jeanie

7 thoughts on “Thank-You on Veteran’s Day

  1. Thank you all, indeed! Words cannot possibly convey the debt of gratitude we all owe those who represented us so well over the years- so we fall helplessly back on those two words so often shallow and more often forgotten….Thank You!

  2. Great honey! And I too join you in saying thank you for serving us. I have the opportunity to teach classes quite often to our men and women in the armed forces and I never forget to say thank you for all they do… God Bless You all and God Bless the USA!

  3. Thank you Jeanie! You made an old man cry this morning! I had forgotten about the combat boots thing!
    You do know I didn’t really mean it! Your mom is one of my favorite people! I also want to tell you that your
    blog is always so much fun to read! I try to stop by at least once a month for an hour or two of looking and
    stealing pictures and such! I love you and I am sorry for being so tough on you as a kid! (I really don’t
    remember that at all! he he he) May God Bless You and Your Family Always! – – -db- – –

    1. You also used to tell me “You’re ugly and your mom dresses you funny,” which has scarred me for LIFE! But it is funny to realize now how young you were, when to me, you were an authority figure. Now I realize you were a teen-age boy with a sick sense of humor. Haha!

      But seriously, Uncle Donald: thank-you for manning up during horrible political times and at a time when the nation was so ungrateful. Thank-you for serving. You know the whole family prayed for you constantly and thought of you the whole time you were gone. We LOVED getting those recorded messages from you on reel-to-reel. Lots of crying going on! Those were big events-gathered in Grandma’s tangerine-colored living room. Tears flowed over you! You were our hero!

  4. Jeanie I just jumped on your blog to steal your Post on Veterans day and saw that you answered my post. Funny I have been back many times and never saw it till now. I just want to say I am sorry for scarring you for life! To see you today and all you couldn’t tell it ever happened! He, he! You turned out to be a Pretty young lady with a wonderful family! May God Bless You and ALL of Yours Always! With all my love! Uncle Don!

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