My Veterans Day.

I know there’s a ton of people who will be blogging and writing about it, along with a ton of videos and tv specials but this is my Veterans Day tribute.

My mom’s dad “Pappy” was a veteran. He’s obviously not here anymore but he was an awesome dude. He was a horologist. Yup, that is correct. A horologist. He was a watch-maker/repair man. He owned his own shop and would also buy/sell every weekend at the swap meet. He was a product of the depression so he never gave anything away. He would go to the local Goodwill and they would have a bag full of watches for him every week. They knew him by name and he would walk in, they would say “hello Hudson.” He would grab his bag and walk on out. After he sold his shop he would go to work out in his “shop” (trailer) in the backyard. His regular customers would come see him out there and sit with him. Oh did I mention his hat of choice was an old wool cap? Yea he was an OG. He smoked cloves and would tell my little brother Tyler they were pencils. Tyler knew though and would say “Pappy is sneaking a smoke.”

Obviously he was a cool guy, and a great grandpa. Pappy was a large man. He wasn’t very tall, maybe around six-foot, but he had these large hands which was amazing because he worked with watches. It was amazing to watch him work on watches. he would be using these small tools and be working with these tiny, tiny pieces of a watch. He wore his special glasses and my mom told me he had to learn to control his breathing so he wouldn’t blow away the parts of the watch. It was such a delicate yet intense process. He was a master at his craft.

Although he was amazing at it he didn’t come to work on watches until later in his life. Before that he managed grocery stores both in Texas and New Mexico. He was Cherokee Indian and would also widdle wood. His trademark item was a pair of tiny little pliers!

Even before that he was in the Army. He fought in World War II. He was a veteran. He would never share stories of the crazy, scary, horrible things he saw. Instead he shared with us stories of his travels. We were young and I’m sure he didn’t enjoy reliving most of those things. It kind of surreal living only 4 freeway exits from the Rose Bowl knowing that when he was a soldier he lived inside the stadium for an extended period of time with other soldiers. He would tell us stories of playing football games inside the stadium only to sleep there later that night. He spent time in South Africa, Germany, England, and many other countries. He saw so many places and go to experience many great things.

While he did see many great things it obviously didn’t come without a cost. He had shrapnel bits in his leg that remained there until the day he died and he also told me what it was like to be shot. He received 2 Purple Hearts, multiple Silver Stars and other decorations. It is bittersweet to not know more details about his time as a soldier. Selfishly, I wish I knew more, but I also know he did suffer from nightmares and post-traumatic stress which would come when he did share certain stories. In spite of that he was a great father, and a great Pappy.

There was a guy I played high school baseball with who received an appointment at the Air Force Academy. He came from a wealthy family. His dad was an architect and drove a Viper. He would come to every game and scream and yell. A bit obnoxious, but still a good guy. He had his enemies around town and there were people who couldn’t stand him and people he hated, but he loved my Pappy. He would make it a point to seek him out at every game and they would talk about his time and experiences during WWII. It was always cool to see. One year he wrote my Pappy a card and gave it to him on Veterans Day. Somehow we came upon the card recently and read what was inside. It was amazing to see this man write such powerful words to Pappy. He shared his admiration and appreciation. He looked up to Pappy and appreciated him as a soldier, as a man but also as a friend. He honored his sacrifice and time as a soldier. To see a man honor Pappy that knew him and spent time with him for only a portion of two years was amazing.

I know there are people that might feel slighted by the government because their loved one hasn’t been honored for their time or sacrifice. I was surprised to see the honor Pappy got when he passed away. It feels weird saying this and quite honestly a bit morbid, but I am thankful he passed away while Steph and I we’re visiting over spring break a few years ago. We got to see him the day of just hours before. It wasn’t unexpected, in that we knew it would happen soon, but it was unexpected that it did in fact happen when it did. I guess it always is. In the process of preparing for the funeral a few days later we received a letter honoring his service. Later we received his medals and honors along with the flag. You always see it in movies and tv. It’s always being folded in front of the widow and given by a soldier in full dress. We did not get that, however we did the flag in a wooden box with a glass view. When you see that flag in person folded perfectly and framed it screams honor. It is powerful to hold and look at. I’m not very patriotic I guess, but the sight of that flag and knowing it is for Pappy and his service gives me chills. It is a powerful experience. It currently sits in front of Nanny’s (my grandma) tv in the living room. Every time we visit her it sits there waiting for us. It’s dusty now, but the power still remains. Such honor and sacrifice should be remembered.

This Veterans Day I am honoring Pappy. I am honoring his sacrifice both physical and emotional. I am honoring him as a soldier. I am honoring him as a watch maker. I am honoring him as a family man. I am honoring him as Pappy. I miss him.

How will you “celebrate” Veterans Day?
Who will you remember and honor?
I would love to know!