There has been so much said recently about Patriotism, Heroes and being a true American. I have kept my mouth shut (mostly).Election Day is really the day we celebrate being Americans. The 4th of July is a great picnic and the fireworks are always appreciated but Election Day is the real celebration.
The talking heads and pundits all have their take on what being a true American means. The armchair politicos and bar stool experts will tell you what they think Patriotism is and who they think is a Hero.
On Election Day my mind turns to someone I consider to be a Hero, a Patriot and a great American. He served in Vietnam, by choice. I'm sure he could have come up with some type of deferment but he didn't. He served his country because he felt it was the right thing to do. He came home from the war and was so ill treated for his service that he hesitated to tell people where he had been. This did not sour or embitter him to his country, he remains proud to be an American.
He owns a small business, has helped many people get started in their careers and has always paid his taxes. According to some, that alone makes him a Patriot although I'm not too sure. He is involved in the political process as an informed voter. He is not afraid to argue a position even if it is not popular. He is not overbearing in his opinions and is always willing to listen to the other side.
This man taught his children to be fair, to be aware and to be unafraid to stand up for what is right. He taught his children that liberal is not a dirty word and neither is conservative. He taught his children that every vote counts and even one person can make a difference. He practices what he preaches and in my mind this makes him a hero.
In a time when there seems to be a spin on everything from the environment to a candidate's wardrobe it's nice to know there are real heroes we can count on. We may not be able to vote for them but we can count on them to vote with us.
Thanks Dad!
great tribute to a great American.
Beth: What a wonderful tribute you have made. Obviously, your Dad is a hero... and you feel fortunate to have him as your dad. But, it appears obvious to me... that your Dad is one of the lucky ones, too. He has you as a daughter who loves him so... and what may be even more important... is that you just shared that with the entire world. Thanks so much for sharing. Take care...
There is absolutely no doubt that Fred is a true American hero. I feel very fortunate to call him my friend. This was very well done Beth. Dad would be proud to see it!
Very well done, Beth. I hope Fred reads this. I know he will truly be touched.
Beth--Your dad sounds like a great guy...Veteran's Day is next Monday a day to honor those great veterans like your dad.
What a great blog to tout the feelings you have for your Dad. Hope all is well in the Lehigh Valley (my daughter goes to DeSales).......
Beth - Gee, this is so nice. I hope you send it to your dad to read, he will be so proud.
Thanks for posting such a great picture of a true hero. I'm glad to be able to read this in the midst of so much election stuff...
Gene- He is that!
Karen Anne- That is so sweet of you to say! Thank you for your lovely comment.
Scott- Dad will be getting an email. Just trying to keep my spot as only favorite daughter
Sardi- See above :-)
Teri- Absolutely! I just wanted to point out that today is given to all of us by people like my Dad.
Lewis- It's a bit deary here in the Lehigh valley.
Sandra- I do have my nice moments.
Darrell- Thank you so much. That is very kind.
Beth, I'm sure your father has a big smile whenever he reflects back over the years at the memories his little girl has given him. You done good!
Yes Dano, he laughs at me a lot.
Your father does sound like a true American hero. I on the other hand am a bar stool expert. Take care.
Beth... this was a wonderful tribute to your dad. I spoke to my dad earlier on the phone about this election.... won't tell you what we talked about or how he felt.... but I am glad that it's over, because every year I get more tired of the slanderous commercials from both parties...right or wrong.
Overall, when we meet again, we'll do a toast to a true hero, your dad, a true American... PS... then we can toast to so many other things, just keep the martinis coming... ;o)
Beautiful My Beth! I would love to see his comment here on this post, but he is probably too humble to publically accept the honor. Dispite the trials of his service, he is quite a fortunate man. The adoration of a daughter has the power to offset the worst of the opposition.
I love the way you write, but even more than that... I love the way you think :)
Mwa!!
JL- I too am a bar stood expert. Just like my daddy taught me :-)
Jeff- I'll toast to that!
Jenn- I'm not sure he would post a comment but he does like to talk so we'll see!
Hi Beth;
I agree that Election Day is our real celebration of freedom. This is the greatest country in the world.
Hi Beth;
I agree that Election Day is our real celebration of freedom. This is the greatest country in the world.
Hi Beth,
We should never take for granted our freedoms. You fathers values are a gift to you and all who he stands for. Our country needs more people like him.
Beth- what a wonderful tribute to your dad. I am sure he is very proud to have raised such a great daughter. Thank You for sharing your story- it is small but impacting stories like these that give us all hope for our great country.
That is an awesome contribute! God Bless the USA!
Beth,
Never, never, never...take one moment w/ your Dad for granted...never, never, never let a day go by without making sure he knows how much you love him...you have done him proud by posting this Beth.
My father has been gone 12 years now...and I'm often asked if I "miss" him...and I say "No, how can I miss someone who's all around me?" He's with me in my heart, he's with me in my thoughts, he's with me in the smiles of my children, he's with me in the family he's left behind to surround me and make me laugh, and help me celebrate holidays...He's with me in my mother...he is always with me...
Your tribute is lovely Beth...thank you!
Beth - Thanks for this timely tribute to your father. Very nicely done. I have nothing but respect for men like your dad.
Beth, nice tribute and well written.
Beth, what a wonderful tribute to your dad! He obviously did a great job raising you.
Beth,
How wonderful your comments are on your father. Mine too is my hero but he left us on August 29th of this year and I know he is watching over me.
Victoria Murphy, Prudential Santa Fe Real Estate
Great stuff. I always think about my father when we hear about this person or that perspon and how they are to be admired becasue they overcame drug addiction or they perservered after going bankrupt or they reunited with their estranged children. I am not knocking those who have fallen and risen back up. That is admirable. But I always thought it interesting that those people are more "publicized and held out for admiration" than the person who did not fall in the first place. Shouldn't my father get "credit" for having a strong bond with his children from day one and no need to mend fences? He has and always will be a great Dad and I appreciate him for that.
A heart warming story----thank goodness for this great country and the people!
A wonderful tribute to your dad. We all can exercise our right to vote thanks to those who have served our country.
Wow - I didn't know that was coming. The best part, Beth has touched a whole lot of people about their relationships with their dads. Me too with mine. I loved what you wrote, Rebecca! And Jennifer, if I were too humble to respond, I would never have done my little part to raise Beth as Beth.
I have always felt that if you loosen the reins a bit, the horse probably won't go crashing into a cliff.
Being the dad of my adult Beth has sure been fun.
Now to the real issue -- my politics is kind of like the gearshift of a '60's sports car - between the seats. My neighbor, rest his soul, couldn't understand why I was still alive, since I was was such a bleeding liberal there was no blood left. When one hangs out the passenger side window, the other must hang out the driver's side or the vehicle will be blown around by the wind.
I loved what I saw last night in Chicago. At 12:30 AM I almost called Beth, and she probably thought the same as I did - better not call so late. I'm sure she knew. We are bumps on the same log.
Fred
Beth and Fred...
Thank you so much for sharing that inspiring tribute. What an amazing way to honor those who serve us and protect our freedom so we can vote (among other things!)
Fred Forbes Sighting!!!
Holy Bleeding Liberal, Batman;)
Hello Mr. Forbes!
Anthony- You've got that right!
Janis- Thank you! I think my Dad's pretty special and there are so many other people who have contributed as much or more to our great country.
Tina- There are so many small stories and I just wanted to share mine. Thanks for listening!
Raylene- That is very kind. God bless us all.
Rebecca- Thank you for sharing your story. Your father was obviously a wonderful man. And trust me, I never take mine for granted and since I tell him just about daily I hope he knows how much I love him.
Jason- Thank you for your kind comment. I thought Election Day was appropriate since we talk politics all the time.
Eric- So nice of you to say so!
Kat- Thanks so much! I'm not so sure but Dad seems to think he did so that's what counts.
Diane- I couldn't agree more.
Joan- I'm thrilled that so many people exersized that right yesterday and I'm sure my Dad is too.
Victoria- I am so sorry for your loss. Your father will always watch over. That's what they do!
Steve- I think it's wonderful when people get recognized for overcoming adversity but guys like your Dad and mine get all the credit in th world as far as I'm concerned. Doing the right thing and making good choices is often very difficult but they do it all the time.
Dad- So you're middle of the road???? Here I thought you were a bunny hugging, bleeding heart liberal. My illusions are shattered... :-) I was dead drunk asleep at 12:30!
Kudos to you for publicly applauding your Dad and all American Veterans. Where would we be without them?
Hello Beth
What a great post!!!!! I too served and didn't want to talk about it. I remember coming back and being spit on in Seattle airport.
I'm a Dad also and truly appreciate your message.
God Bless you
Rich
Charlotte NC
As a father of a beautiful and intelligent daughter, your post touched me. There was never any excuse for blaming the brave soldier in Nam and not appreciating their great sacrifce to us here at home. As a college student at the time I started to hate the young liberal activists. I was at Kent State the time of the shootings and believe me it was a mess and was caused by a few radicals that were not even from Ohio. God bless your dad for his service.
Beth, well said ! It is important to not just remember our own individual heroes but to recognize them as such too !
It is now over. Now it is time to try to save the lower and middle class in the years to come. God willing there will be compromise. If all goes as plans it will kill me to lay off people who are currently struggling to make a living. I may lose at least 10 employees if all that is desired is passed. We have to be strong and fight for those who think they are not going to be massively hurt by this election. As Americans, we can produce miracles.........
Evening Beth, Lots of definitions of being a patriot - I really like yours!
Thanks for sharing Beth. Very well said.
That was a great message Beth.
Beth-this is a very heart touching and heart felt tribute. Thank you for sharing it with us. Your dad truly is an american hero.
That is a beautiful tribute to your dad and may God Bless you and your family
Touching post, Beth. As a proud father of 3 I strive to teach my children to be fair and not burden them with what I think is right. Everyone has their own opinion, right?
Thank You for sharing such a "Great Tribute" to your father!
Good for you. Seems like there was a time when we used to get along? Where did all the hatefulness come from? Good for you for having a dad that taught you to think and tolerate other people.
Very touching! Your dad has obviously raised and taught you well. I am sure he is as proud of you as you are of him. He is definitely a true American Hero.
Beth,
That's a nice tribute to your father. In the last several years the word patriotism has really been tossed around by politicians who tried to use it for their own career advantage. What a shame.