I was leaving the VA the other day, enjoying the sun and my wife's company. Passed an older gentleman and his wife going in. We both said excuse me and that's when I saw his "I was there hat." These hats are almost a uniform requirement for old duffers at the VA. Yes I have one, but its paltry compared to most of them I see.
I had recently been to a speech by Jimmy Gentry, who was among the first Americans to liberate Dachau.
Anyway this fellow and I made eye contact and I reached out and shook his hand, thanking him for what he had done for our country. My wife said she could tell this was unusual for him as he was lit up like a candle. I don't know, but I was truly thrilled. We parted and went our way.
These people are a National Treasure we cannot preserve. We cannot shake hands with a WWI Vet, or hear his story first hand.
So, take a moment when the chance presents itself to reach out and thank a Vet. When in church or elsewhere and they ask for the Vets to stand, stand tall and proud.
Shake a hand, hug, what ever feels right. I promise I got the better end of the deal for the touching of a member of
The Greatest Generation.

And we need to do it often and soon.........