The Covid-19 virus it is going to make the holidays very different this year. Even though we have all this going on we need to take some time to remember our veterans, the ones that have passed and the ones still with us.
World War I hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. At the urging of the United States Veterans Organizations, Armistice Day was created and renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
On this day, November 11, 2020, it gives me pause to think about the veterans in my family: my Dad; US Army, my brother Merrill; US Navy, my Uncle Louis; US Air Force, my nephews Daniel; US Navy, Matthew; USMC, brothers-in-law Richard and Larry; US Army and David; US Navy and Merchant Marines. I think about all the people I know and have known in the service during my life.
I think of family we never knew that served like my wife Betsy’s cousin; John Condon. We were able to visit the American Cemetery outside of Paris, France honoring veterans from World War I and II. His remains were not there as his ship, the USS Ticonderoga, sank on September 30, 1918 off the shore of France. At the Cemetery they have a marker bearing his name,
We all have family and friends who are serving or have served in the military. So as we approach the holiday season reach out to them, give them a call and see how they are doing. Thank them for being who they are, so you could be who you are today.
This is a different kind of holiday season but our veterans still wait to hear from you.
Happy Veteran’s Day,
Pat McRae
Supervisor Elect, Redford Township