Veterans Day

When I was in Jr High our choir would gather with choirs all over the city and put on a Veterans Day Concert. It was a big deal with lots of rehearsing. I personally didn't know a single veteran. I wasn't related to anyone who ever went to war. I didn't know that one day I would love a veteran as much as my own dad.

Wade Smith 26 years old

This is my Father-In-Law. He is an amazing man. He raised the man that I dearly love, and he raised him well. We visit him at least once a week. When he is feeling good he will sing songs for the boys:

"Tiddly wink a dink a dink, Tiddly wink a doo, I - love - you."

When he senses that the grandkids are bored with the visit he will launch in to a chant he use to do with his division, The Wolfhounds (27th infantry division):

When you're lying wounded on the cold Korean plain
And the communists come to cut up what remains
Just roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
and go to God like a good Wolfhound.

He says this with a serious tone and ends with a wolf howl and then, a twinkle in his eye and big smile and wink. It always makes the boys laugh. It chills me every time. This dear sweet old man, who tells complete strangers that he loves them, has seen serious war. Horrific things that I can't imagine.

He is a hero. But he won't tell you that. He has medals (silver stars, bronze stars, three purple hearts) , and other awards, but he won't tell you that. He has a brother that was a prisoner of war in WWII and another brother that was a fighter pilot killed in action in Vietnam. He and his family have defended our democracy and spilled blood for our country.

But when you talk to him, he will tell you that he loves you.

Happy Veterans Day Wade. We love you!