Tuesday, November 11, 2008

My Tribute.

I called you "Papaw," but the Army called you "soldier," and counted on you during World War II. I miss you, and I'm thankful for your service to our country.



Ada and Levoid Raley, my maternal grandparents


You were my Uncle Everett, but to the Air Force you were a valued presence during the Korean Conflict. I miss you every day, and I'm proud of your love and loyalty to this country.

Everett L. Raley, my mother's older brother

I still call you "Daddy," though the Air Force called you to Okinawa to serve the United States long before my time. Thank you for your efforts during the Vietnam War. I'm beyond proud to have you as my father and as my soldier.

Edmund H. Roth, Jr., better known and loved as "Sonny"

I'm so proud of my family's military heritage. My husband's grandfather and uncle also served in the armed forces, and we are thankful for each of them, not only on Veterans Day but every day.

Please allow me to make a suggestion...if you see a veteran today, shake their hand...offer a big hug...let them know how blessed our nation is for their service. I don't care what your political party preference may be, we are all still a part of this nation, under God. The reason we have liberty and justice is because of the freedoms given to us by the men and women who labor in the many branches of the world's finest military. I do not take it for granted.

We are blessed, y'all. Yes, we are.

Happy Veterans Day!

45 comments:

jori-o said...

Amen.

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

Shout it sista! I currently have several family members and friends serving our country and am so proud of them!

Also, I was going to ask if "Closer" by Kings of Leon was the song you were refering to!!! I was pretty sure it was.

I replaced the youtube link with the same song but a different video since they pulled the cool one (rastards)...

And if you were closer I would run right over and give you my basket!

Have a great Vets day!

Carrie said...

What a great post! You should be proud of your family's military heritage! How lucky we are that the brave fight for our great nation!

Happy Veterans Day.

p.s. I think we both keep the same hours...

Trish said...

Beautiful, just beautiful.

The boys and i are heading out today to hug some vets.........because I LOVE my freedom!

Thank your family for me!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Great post!

I Love Purple More Than You said...

Beautiful post! Happy Veterans Day to everyone who served our country and fought for our freedom!

Unknown said...

thanks, leigh anne. and to your service-driven family. also, you look like papaw just spit you out.

CaraBee said...

Wonderful post! I love the old pictures. It's always so neat to see the younger selves of beloved family members. Your uncle Everett was a cutie, just sayin'.

Amy said...

Happy Veterans Day to you. You have an impressive family. What a nice tribute!

Shelley said...

wELL SAID.

Shelley said...

wELL SAID.

Michelle said...

Nice post! We had a Veterans Breakfast at school yesterday for any Veteran that wanted to attend. The students sit with them and listen to their stories, it's wonderful.

My Papa was in the Army's 8th Air Force during WWII and fought against German soliders. I miss him too.

Becky said...

I love old pictures!

Happy Veterans Day!

Bramblemoon Farm said...

What a wonderful tribute!

Caroline said...

That was really great to see pictures of your family who served in the military.

You look JUST like your grandmother!

Heather said...

This is a wonderful post...both of my grandpas served in WWII, and I loved to hear their stories when I got old enough to appreciate them. I wish they were still around to tell them over and over, so my kids could hear them, too.

a Tonggu Momma said...

Happy Veterans Day! Many, many people in my family have served or currently serve. The two most noteworthy facts: the husband's uncle (and his namesake) died at Iwo Jima two days before they raised the flag... and my daddy was RIO in a two-seater fighter jet, also known as a Goose (from Top Gun)... and yes, there is such a school and yes, my daddy actually went to it.

ParentingPink said...

What a lovely post! Seriously. It brings tears to my eyes. You certainly have a lot to be proud of in your family!

Mama Dawg said...

This is a wonderful post. And you totally look like your grandmother.

Knocked Up in Bama said...

Great blog! Awesome pictures!!

April said...

Happy Veterans Day! I am now in tears and missing my special veterans...my grandfather, Kelly Mahan and my step-grandfather, Harold Owen. Thanks for the tribute!

KatBouska said...

Ok you gave me goosebumps...and what awesome pictures of your men!! I love papaws!!

I madly and deeply in love with you.

Brandy said...

What a touching tribute...

Elena said...

Sweet post and beautiful pictures. Your grandmother has some strong genes becuase they passed straight on to you. So fun to see!!

Melissa said...

Okay, I love this post. I love the legacy in your family. How incredible the testimony of those men. That means so much.

Strong family resemblance. Wow!

I taught my kids the sign language for thank you. I told Michael (because he is fascinated and in awe when he sees a soldier) to sign thank you to them when he sees them. They need to know that we are thankful and deeply indebted to them for their service.

That's what the USA is really all about. Sacrifice for a better tomorrow. I hate that it's been lost in all this political hustle and bustle. I'm thankful for our military. They make me proud to be an American!

Tami said...

I love those old pictures - you have some handsome men in your family!

Our country is free because of our soldiers! And I love them all, past and present!!

magpie said...

beautiful post!

Live.Love.Eat said...

That was a beautiful tribute. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And handsome men you have in your family!

Anonymous said...

That is just beautiful!! I love the tribute! I also Love the pictures!!

MarciaBrady said...

What a GREAT post! What a good looking family. I think you have your grandmother's eyes.

My paternal grandfather was in the Army and then Air Force. I never got to meet him.

I too am grateful for all the men and women who serve for us!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

Last year my daughters school choir had a program where local Vetrans' were invited. They sang patriotic songs and military songs. It was an amazing night and not a single dry eye in the place. I was so proud to be an American and so thankful to all those incredible men and women that were in attendance for the sacrifice that they made. I am saddened that the Choir teacher retired for there is no program tonite and we need a reminder of what our freedom cost.

sassy stephanie said...

Aw. Great post girl.

Anonymous said...

This was fab! I love the old pics.

KimmyJ said...

Great post! Love the photos! And Amen!

Mama Dawg said...

I don't know if you get a station that has Kidd Kraddick's radio show on it (you can google his name to find his website), but they're interviewing Robert Pattinson tomorrow.

Vicki said...

There is definitely a resemblance between your mom and her father!

Jen said...

Well, said. Yes, we are blessed.

Queenie Jeannie said...

God bless you and your family! As a veteran and an Army wife, these posts are really appreciated!

Did you notice that in all those WWII pics that everyone is so beautiful??? What a great generation they were!

HOOAH!!!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

My parents are both air force brats. And both of my grandfathers are buried at Arlington. They were some amazing men, soldiers, and fathers.

Unknown said...

Good job Leigh Anne! Isn't it wonderful to know you have family who helped keep our freedom! God Bless them and all our veterans today!

Debbie said...

Amen sister! I remember your Memorial Day post which I believe was along these lines...no wait,you had that you tube clip that made me cry....We are a blessed nation because of these men and women who so selflessly serve.

Pinky Roth said...

This was such a touching tribute to our family who served in the armed forces.

Mom

Shannon said...

Sweet tribute!

I find it interesting that with Shane and I, both of our maternal grandfathers were in the Navy and fought in Okinawa during WWII... while our paternal grandfathers were both in the Army and fought in Italy.


Oh, and I was late getting my kids to school today... while I was signing them in, the secretary was calling two students back to the office. They had hung the flg this morning... upside down! On Veteran's Day, no less! Oops.

Anonymous said...

You said it girl!

(and my kids call their grandpa Papaw too)

Rhea said...

Those are some handsome men in uniform! You have every right to be proud of them. I wish I had more family who'd been in service to our country. My dad was for a while.

My dad memorized the eye chart so he could get into the airforce at 17.