Thank you veterans, one and all

(Updated November 11, 2021)  George C. Webster, who would have turned 97 in January 2022,  was a World War II veteran who proudly raised the American flag outside of his Florida home every morning until his January 2016 passing at the tender age of 92.  Dad served in the American and European Theaters with the U.S. Army during the Big One – the war to end all wars.  He never talked about his war days much; except he always liked to share one anecdote about being in a fox hole and trying to have a tin cup filled with hot tea.

A swarm of ants got into his tea cup – but as it was his only cup he drank it anyway – ants and all. I think the reason he liked to tell that story was to serve as straight man for my mother, who always tacked on “ . . . and your father is still gassy today” (and I cleaned up Mom’s actual wording for this article.)

Mom’s only brother, Mickey Cardone, never made it back home from WWII. A 20-year-young Marine, he died from wounds he received overseas in the service of his country.

Thanks Dad, and Uncle Mick. Thank you for doing what no man or woman should ever have to be called upon to do – go to war.

The Vietnam conflict was winding down but still going strong in 1973 when I was a draft-age 18-year-old, first semester freshman in college. I never liked the bad rap our Vietnam veterans received back in those days. I was very thankful for the service they performed, not only for our country, but especially for one 18-year-old who didn’t have to go to Vietnam because our veterans from that era were over there taking care of business.

WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the cold war, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan – think of the sheer numbers of Americans it’s taken just during the modern age to keep our country safe. Imagine the sacrifices they and their families have made.

Thank you veterans, one and all.

~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter