Those Who Gave

On Veterans' Day, we have one simple thing to do: think and thank.

We need to think again about all the men and women who have served our country or gave their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we have in America. Then thank them.

This is really something we should do every day. Heck, I wouldn't be writing this blog if someone somewhere along the line hadn't fought for our right to free speech. So I thank you veterans and all other personnel who served in peace time, too. You deserve much more appreciation than you are getting. Sorry we are falling down on the job.

For Carter's part, he and the Assumption Band played at a Veterans' Day ceremony at the Wood County courthouse in Rapids. Yes, it was cold. But that hour of discomfort can't compare to time in the trenches, in a POW camp or in a desert sand storm. Our mild complaints should be embarrassing when we think about it.

Tonight I was certainly reminded of that in a painful way.

There is one family in Wisconsin Rapids who will now remember Veterans' Day as the worst day of their lives.

Carter played basketball late this afternoon in Pittsville. This was about a 90-minute haul from work in Iola. When we were going through Rapids on the way, there were several emergency vehicles that had blocked the main road -- Grand Avenue -- so we were detoured. We were in a hurry and grumbled about the delay.

At a quick glance, we did not see any damaged vehicles or shattered glass on the scene so we didn't know what type of accident it was. When we got to the game, another parent remarked that it was blocked off when they came through an hour earlier. Nothing more was said, but when we got back to town after our loss (37-29), the road was still blocked and emergency personnel were still on the "scene" of whatever it was that happened. That's not a good sign.

We stopped to grab hamburgers and eat at Chip's. Since it was right on the "scene," we used the back entrance to the parking lot. While we were waiting for our food, just like every other patron before us, I'm sure, we asked what happened. What we learned made me lose my appetite -- and want to cry.

Two grade-school boys were crossing the street after school and one of them was struck and killed by a pickup truck. The emergency personnel were still trying to investigate the accident. And somewhere, a family sat reeling from the news that their son, probably a 4th- or 5th-grader, is gone. Forever.

He didn't give his life for our country. But he will always be remembered on Veterans' Day for his sacrifice.

Since his identity hasn't been reveled, we don't know yet if we know this boy or his family. But our hearts break all the same.

I hugged Carter extra hard tonight. If you can't think of one thing to be grateful for today, find one. If you have someone within a hundred yards of your computer who is still walking, talking and breathing, hug them and appreciate them. Veteran or not, show your love while the special people in your life are still in your life.

May God bless veterans and may God especially bless this newly grieving family.