Veterans Day.

Today, is Veterans Day, not just 11-11-11.  This is one of my favorite holidays because the military is so strongly important in my family.  It all started with my pa-pa, i used to call him grandpa Jack, even  though his name was John. my papa was in the Navy, he sailed on the U.S.S Enterprise during WWII..  When i was around 8, my papa got diagnosed with lung cancer. It was one of the hardest things I've gone through, because i remember the last week he was with us. Everyone knew that the end was near so we spent as much time with him as we could. Within a few weeks of being diagnosed, the cancer traveled up his spine to his brain and it killed him.  The last time i ever saw him, he was painting a picture, while watching the baseball game that was one.  I still remember the smell of coffee and tobacco on his breath, and the various wrinkles that defined all of his life. He was a courageous person, kind and very smart. I know that he left us, but i can't help but think about hi much i miss him.  Than my dad, he was drafted into the was at 18 years old, and stayed in for quite some time. During his time in Germany during the Vietnam era, one of his closest friends was shot right in front of him. My dad, has had flashbacks of that memory as he still does today making talking about his time in the army very difficult. Many people don't know this- but my dad's legs don't really work so he is in a wheelchair. Part of this is due to the war, because of his nerves and the loud noises. Those are two important people in my life, who have given up so much! I currently have some family and friends who are serving and i include them in my prayers every night.  Today, was a great day, first i got to school and sold bracelets for the stars and stripes club and made over half our goal, we are going to continue selling them on Monday too, so I'm super pumped. After school around 3:20, i  decided i wanted to spend the day with my dad, so i baked him a cake, and made it sorta look like the American Flag. It turned out that my sis and nephew were there too! It was  a really good day, and right now i am fighting to keep my eyes open, i am definitely not going to make it to 11:11.  I just want to once again thank people like my dad and my papa, for serving, they are truly heroes. Even though my grandpa is no longer here, i know he is keeping  a close eye on me, from God's window.