Veterans Day 2020

Thank you to all those who have served in the military and who are currently serving. 

When we visited Normandy a few years ago, we had the chance to visit the American Cemetery there. Rows upon rows of white markers are a grim reminder of the price that was paid to liberate Europe.

More sobering and more poignant was the visit to the German Cemetery nearby. Rather than the smooth white crosses, their crosses are of rough hewn black stone. The markers tell the story of many who were cut down in their teens. The thing that moved me the most, however, is the care that is given to the graves of those who were the enemy. Their sacrifice — willing or unwilling — is not forgotten. The flags of the Allied nations fly outside, and flying alongside them is the flag of Germany.

It's a lesson we could learn today: Love your enemies. We're all in this thing together; let's try to get along.
 

Sketchbook: Where you from?

I've had the privilege at work this past week of interviewing several veterans who now work for us. They have some great stories to share.

One recalled meeting their drill instructor immediately after getting off the bus as a new recruit. The drill instructor told them that they were all from Mars — that was to be their response whenever they were asked.

After three times of telling his instructor that he was from California, and being reminded in that gentle way that drill instructors have, he finally caught on that he was supposed to answer that he was from Mars! That's where this sketch came from: what if the new recruit really was from Mars?

To a person, each veteran said they were proud of their service, it was a great experience, and they learned about hard work, loyalty, diversity, and getting a job done with limited resources. Each came back with a sense of pride and patriotism. Many recommended the everyone should have a chance to serve.

Even if you're from Mars.

Thank you to all of our veterans, and those who currently serve!

Sketchbook: Veterans Day

Thank you to all who have served!

Veteran's Day (observed)

This is a little more editorial-style than I usually do. It's not even what I intended to draw when I started out.

Sadly, many veterans wind up on the streets. I see them every day as I commute to work. There must be a solution!

With several members of my family serving in the armed forces over several decades, I think it's important to honor and respect those who have served. Please remember them this Veteran's Day!

Veterans Day

My father, brother, uncles, nephews, friends, colleagues and others have served in the military. I've appreciated their service and sacrifice. That appreciation has deepened in recent months.

This last summer we visited Normandy, including the American Memorial Cemetery and several of the D-Day sites. It gave me a deeper appreciation and greater perspective of what so many individuals went through to serve the cause of freedom.

In addition to those sites, we also visited the German Memorial Cemetery, also in Normandy. So many of those soldiers were still in their teens, cut off in their youth — a sobering reminder of the terrible price to pay the gods of war.

To us in the United States it seems that World War II was a long time ago. Yet the memories are still fresh in the history of Europe: the scars are still there in the fields of France.

I clearly remember how many people in Korea expressed their thanks to me when I told them that my father had been there as a soldier during the Korean War. Their gratitude for his sacrifice in their behalf was deep and genuine.

Thank you to all who served and who are currently serving. The good you do is appreciated.

Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day

It wasn't until I started Sis. Kerry Jo's mission blog that I realized how much I enjoy her as a character. She often says things in ways that I can't. Here she is paying tribute to soldiers on Veteran's Day.

Remembrance Day

Happy Veterans' Day/Remembrance Day! Hats off to all those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Thank you!

Veteran's Day, Korean style

If you came here looking for a Monday Sketchbook, come back tomorrow. We're switching days this week because it seems like Veteran's Day and Memorial Day always get the short shrift -- they never get real cartoons solely because they always fall on Mondays.

Kerry Jo's experience reflects my own. It was my dad who served in the Army during the war, however, not my grandpa. Whenever older people heard about him being there during the war, and then my coming back to be a missionary, they were more than willing to talk to us! I'll bet my dad never thought that his work in the Army would result in opened doors for me as a missionary.

Most of the time my dad served as company clerk (because he was able to identify a typewriter), although he did see action too many times. He was in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill.

Here's to my dad, and all the other Veterans who so willingly serve! Thank you!

November 11

Today is the traditional commemoration of Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day/Armistice Day. Not only is it to remember the end of World War I, it's also a day to honor those who have served in the military. For me, that covers a whole slew of family and friends.

The poem "In Flanders Fields" was written by Lt. Col John McCrae (a Canadian!) and is traditionally associated with Remembrance Day.

Happy Veteran's Day! Wear a poppy, thank a veteran.