This day always brings to mind grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and siblings. All those in my family who served their country in the armed services and medical corps. Their service not only helped defeat America’s enemies but ensured that each of us had the freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.
Today is the day to remember all who have served and those whose service also meant their ultimate gift to our freedom.
God bless our veterans. Today’s JohnKu is about just one.
Grandfather by John W. Howell © 2022
Your destiny was,
Fulfilled long before my birth . . .
Freedom was your gift.
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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Thank you for the great and important reminder to all the veterans who served in honor of their country and freedom at large, John! Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Micheal.
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Beautifully done, John.
I have no one in my family, on either side, (that I know of), who was a veteran. It feels weird when so many do.
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It does happen and I’m sure most veterans would take comfort that your family wasn’t forced to take up arms. Thanks for sharing.
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No doubt.
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😁
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I always thank a service member or a veteran when I see them. John, your poem was sweet and touching. A lot was expressed in a few words.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Thank you for sharing your comment, Karen. 😊
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❤
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😊
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Lovely, John. My brother was a surgeon in the Air Force…retired just a few years ago. Saw lots of horrific things during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. So grateful for his service and his sacrifices.
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We all should be grateful, Lori. Thanks to your brother for helping to preserve our freedoms. Thanks to you for sharing this comment.
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Great post.
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Thank you, Charles.
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Your poem and photo make this a powerful post.
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Thank you, Craig.
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Thanks, GP.
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I no longer take those freedoms for granted.
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I’m with you Liz.
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Thank you, John, for this reflective post. I’ve many veterans in my family, and I’m deeply grateful for their service and the service of all who wore the uniform. 🕊️
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I share your gratefulness, Gwen.
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💙
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A huge thank you to every person in your family who served our country, John, and blessings to every one of them. Your tribute is beautiful, and much appreciated. My husband spent a year in the jungles of VietNam, so this day is one of special significance to us. too. Hurricane cleanup will have to wait another day, I’m afraid. Happy Veteran’s Day, my friend, and thank you for the poem and for sharing the poignant photograph.
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Thank you, Marcia and thanks for your husband’s service. I have a special place in my heart for those who served in Vietnam. (I had one nephew and two cousins there. Two purple hearts and a bronze star among them) The unforgivable treatment of those vets is a shameful period of our history.
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Thank you, John, and you are so right. To this day, Mark can’t forget how he was treated when he came home. A shameful time, indeed.
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😊
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Remembering those who served today. This is a beautiful tribute to your grandfather.
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He was very special and I wish I had been able to talk to him. I am grateful for his legacy and the close feelings I have.
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My paternal grandfather died before I was born. I wish I had known him, but everything I’ve heard about him has been good.
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I have the same experience with mine. Thanks, Joan.
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It is a gift we must keep on giving to future generations.
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So true, Pamela.
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A beautiful post and JohnKu. I’m grateful to every person who has fought on the side of freedom. It’s so unutterably sad we have one of the biggest struggles for our freedom now, especially after all these years and effort in seeking peaceful coexistence with others. Thanks for sharing, John. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
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Thanks for the lovely words, Harmony. Have a wonderful weekend as well.
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Love the tribute to your grandfather, John. Happy Veterans Day to all who served.
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Thank you, Staci.
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It is my hope we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice – and their families – today and every day. My father served during the Korean War, and while growing up he told me how very proud he was to have served his country during that time. Thanks for honoring those who served, John.
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My pleasure Bruce. My dad served in the Navy during WWII and was also proud to do his duty.
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Thanks for honoring our veterans. My son will soon be one!
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😊
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Beautiful tribute to the vets and your grandpa, John 🙂
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Thank you, Denise.
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Great post, John, and a fine tribute to your grandpa.
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Thanks, Tim
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Well done, John. Hugs on the wing.
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No wonder they’re called “the greatest generation.” They were so young … yet so brave. Thank you, John, for a lovely Haiku.
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Yes indeed, Debbie.
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What a lovely tribute to your grandfather. Thanks to all who serve(d). We wouldn’t be who we are if it weren’t for them.
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I agree, Michelle. Thanks.
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The older I get the more I understand and appreciate and the more I get all swollen throated… It feels a bit odd to be the first generation of many who didn’t serve, but then again that’s why they did. Thanks John; I don’t normally get much out of haiku but yours rang true
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Thank you, Geoff. It does seem odd at times.
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Let us never forget and show our support 365 days a year.
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I agree
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Nice post
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Thank you.
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Bless your grandfather for his service.
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Thank you, John. He was proud to do it.
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Excellent tribute, John.
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An important day to recognize.
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Yes indeed.
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Beautiful thoughts John. Bless them all.
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They certainly deserve it.
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They do my man.
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😊
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Wonderful tribute, John! Long may his gift keep on giving!
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So true, Deborah. 😊
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Really nice, John! Thank you. 🇺🇸
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😊
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Wonderful, John. My dad and father-in-law both served in World War II. My dad passed away 5 years ago at 97 years old, and my FIL is still with us at 99 1/2. 🙂
It’s always good to be reminded…thank you. ❤️🇺🇸
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Yes. These were amazing folks. God Bless them both.
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❤️
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Lovely JohnKu!
My grandfather died in WWII (early 1940), long before I was born.
Yes, their gift was freedom!
Thank you!
oxoxox
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Wow. Again a small world. OXOXOX
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OX OX OX Git along!
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😁
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Wonderful tribute to your grandad and all veterans John. 🙂
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So nice of you to say so, Debby.
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Might the human memory be stable, dear John! I’m glad to learn about grandfather! Long life the heros of all the nations & times! Thank you! 🙂
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Thank you fro reading, Maria. 😊
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🌹🌹🌹😊 My pleasure, dear John!
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😊
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Excellent post
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Thank you.
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