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May 5, 2006
Dear Editor,
Thank You for the Opportunity
I wish to thank all the Vets who will soon be out there, everywhere, selling those poppies. I thank them for being out there so I can have the opportunity to personally thank each and every one of them for their service to our great Nation. Our Nation is great because they made it great. All of them. Some of these brave men and women are missing toes because of the cold winter during the war. Some of them still have pieces of metal inside their body. Still you continue to serve your community and our Nation.
I felt so badly this week when I went to a local Post Office. I saw one of our fine Vets leaning wearily, but still standing, against a newsstand as he held his poppies. Person after person passed him by as if he were invisible. I grabbed a dollar and looked right into those beautiful, deep eyes and said, “Oh! I have been looking for you!” And then I thanked him for his service, from the depth of my heart. I bought another one as I left. Some of these soldiers were never recognized as they should have been for the sacrifice they gave and continue to give to this day. These brave men and women make me proud to be an American. Last time one of them thanked me for buying a poppy on such a hot and humid day at a traffic light and then, with a twinkle in his eye, told me to “have a great life”. I shouted back, “You gave me that life!”
When I look into their seasoned eyes, I see the greatness of our country’s heart and compassion. I see the wisdom, sacrifice and I see the pain. Most of all, I see the love. I wish to mention to those who will soon see our brave Vets out there selling poppies. Please don’t ever pass by one of them saying, “I already gave”. Is that what our brave heroes say while defending our Nation, “I already fought yesterday, so today I’m going pass on preserving liberty and freedom”? Please give with your heart, a smile and a “Thank you for your service” to them all, each and every one of them.
Linda Haft