PRESIDENTS' DAY

Last week the country celebrated Presidents’ Day. A national holiday, the day is set aside to recognize and honor the forty-four presidents who have served our country. Generally speaking, the day passes almost unnoticed. Sadly, it is perhaps relished more as a day for eager shoppers and retailers, not to mention a day off for most workers and students.

Before President’s Day was officially inaugurated, we celebrated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (12 February) and that of George Washington (22 February), arguably the two greatest presidents in American history. Why are they considered the greatest of the forty-four? Well, as we know, it was General Washington who led the Continental Army to victory over the British in the American Revolution and later became our first president and known since as the “Father of our country.” Lincoln of course reunited a blood-stained America following the tragedy of the Civil War.

Washington is my favorite president. General Henry Lee, who served with Washington during the revolution, summed it up beautifully when, following Washington’s death, he so eloquently said that Washington was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Washington was the quintessential soldier’s soldier. I think that says it all about the man.

America has fought many great wars since Washington’s victory at Yorktown in 1781. Today we still have brave men and women overseas serving and protecting our nation, following in the proud tradition of our military. I have witnessed firsthand what war can do to our military heroes. As far as I’m concerned, everyone who serves our great republic in battle is worthy of nothing less than our thanks and praise. Thus, when I think of Washington on Presidents’ Day, I think of those men and women overseas who sacrifice so much for us here at home. If Washington were alive today, I know our courageous warriors today would follow him into battle as did that brave Continental Army during the revolution.

All the best to our military and veterans!

Honoring Our Veterans

On 9 February 2011, my good friend, art director and public relations consultant Deb Deysher and I had the privilege of visiting the VA Medical Center in Coatesville, PA. We were there to hand out autographed copies of my three published novels to honor our hospitalized veterans. The day was part of a week-long tribute which the Veterans Administration called "The National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans."

We had been planning the launch of this program, which we call "Books for Our Heroes," for almost a year. Thanks to the support of the Voluntary Services Director Earl Johnson and his team at Coatesville, the experience was as joyful and thrilling as it was humbling. While I enjoyed the chance to write a personal message for each veteran,  my greatest thrill was to look into the eyes of these wounded warriors, shake their hands and thank them for their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty. In fact, there were times when I almost broke down in tears.

As the proud son of a career sailor, I can appreciate the valor and sacrifice of these wonderful people. Incredibly, I was humbled by the fact that every one of these vets were appreciative of our gesture of giving them a good book to read. I now wonder if I would have been so gracious knowing that I would have to live out the rest of my life with perhaps a missing arm or leg, or knowing I would need almost constant medical treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The moral of this story is simple. Honor our veterans, not just on military holidays such as Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but everyday by donating your time, talent and resources. We owe them a lot, much more than we realize. They are the ones who keep America strong and guarantee the freedoms we enjoy today and for generations to come.

God bless each and every one of them!