“When others try to rain on your dreams, carry an umbrella and dream on.”
~ Jane Lee Logan
Since it’s Veterans Day I thought I would share some photos from my time on the D.A.V. float in this year’s Sorghum Festival parade. Both of my parents served proudly in the U.S. Army. Mom served two years at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona as a cartographic and data processing specialist. Dad was a Spec 5 (think Special Forces) and served nearly ten years. He did everything; from paratrooping to reconnaissance. They intended to retire from service, but circumstances changed that for both of them. It didn’t change their commitment to serve their country in other ways.
Mom and dad are very active in the Disabled American Veterans. Dad has served as president, VP, and treasurer a number of times. Mom has been treasurer, and she’s still the person all the Morgan County vets call when they need help with their paperwork (if you get any kind of VA medical care, or benefits from the government, there’s a ton of paperwork). They gently try to get the younger vets involved, and they provide funeral rights to every veteran when requested. They spend countless hours replacing flags around the county, and speaking at various functions, particularly the schools. Their service didn’t end when they were discharged.
Mom asked Greg Gross to ride the DAV float. He served 3 (or 4) years in the Air Force, mostly at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. As a fuel specialist, he was the guy that fueled the jets that piggy-backed the space shuttle from California to Florida. He doesn’t talk a lot about the time he served, but I saw it change him in a good way like it does for so many others. Greg was proud to ride the float, more than I think even he expected. I also took a lot of joy in seeing his service, and the service of my parents, appreciated along the parade route.
It is good to serve your country, and if you can’t serve a nation, you can serve your fellow man in other ways. There is goodness in service to others.
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