A Veteran's Day card for all of us.

I'll be a few minutes late for work, but I want to share this with you.

I was on my way out the door, feeling bad that I haven't put up a Veteran's Day post here. All over the web you can find stirring speeches, videos and songs in support of America' veterans past and present. That's the problem--there's too much on the menu.

I noticed the mail had arrived, and amongn the flyers for Veteran's Day sales at the local bigbox stores was a letter from the Browns, my neighbors across the street.

Inside was a card signed by the parents, sons and grandchild, my good neighbors I see every day. The  card says, "All across our country, our flag still waves, its heart and sould stronger than ever. And beneath its proud colors, America stands together--because of you."

It's nice, sure, when someone goes out of their way to thank you like that. But in this case, there's an added bit of emotion that's tangling me up right now: three of the four sons in this family are members of the Illinois National Guard. Young soldiers who are volunteering to do their part in serving our country, keeping us safe and, I hope, helping maintain our important image as a great nation--these kids are thanking me.

As I think about my father and grandfather, both naval officers who served during our worlds greatest wars, I start to understand. It's important to thank all who have marched before us.

So I'm sharing this card with all of you, shipmates. If those in uniform wish to thank us. let's accept those thanks with humility and gratitude that traditions endure.

Sorry for any misspellings--I'm late for work.