By Lynn Saternow
Here are some thoughts from a guy who always considers Veterans Day to be a very special day in more ways than one.
First of all, it’s an easy way to remember my wife’s birthday since she was born on Nov. 11 in a year that I shall not discuss in order to maintain marital harmony.
But also, it’s a time when we pay tribute to men and women who served our country. I enjoyed attending the Veterans Day parade Wednesday in Farrell and watching the veterans proudly walk, wearing their uniforms. It’s amazing how some guys can still squeeze into those threads.
Thanks to all the high school bands who performed as well, they were great.
My dad Ralph Saternow is one of the “Greatest Generation” and served in the Navy in World War II. When I was young, I can remember when his good friend Mike Gavala and others would come to the house to visit and they would talk about “war stories” into the night.
But even the youngest guys from WWII are in their mid-80s and we have already seen the passing of many of those vets. It was known as the “War to End All Wars,” which of course was unfortunately wrong.
And those who fought in the Korean conflict are no spring chickens either.
Many of the guys who fought in Vietnam are my age, in their 60s, although some of them have died to complications of “Agent Orange” and other ailments from that war. Others were mentally scarred. And consider that far too many Americans were killed in Vietnam.
The Vietnam vets may not be as appreciated as some of the others were because they fought in a very unpopular war. But most of us, while not supporting the war, believed in supporting the guys and gals who were called on by the government to serve.
The one thing young people today can be thankful for is that it pretty much ended the thoughts of ever having a draft again. People my age would never tolerate reinstitution of the draft to force our children and grandchildren to fight in the Middle East which, like Vietnam, appears to be a huge blunder by our government.
Of course with no jobs available for young people, some may have to join the military just to sustain a living.
But once again, even though many people no longer support the war, they strongly support the people who are serving. We can only hope they will all be home safely soon and receive the welcome they so richly deserve.
So thanks to all men and women who served our country. Your sacrifice isn’t always acknowledged, so that’s why at least once a year we have Veterans Day. But that doesn’t mean we can’t shake the hand of a serviceman on other days and say: “Thanks for your service.”
ä I received an angry letter from a Sharpsville man upset with my comment last week that people who smoke can pay the higher “sin tax” on cigarettes because they will die sooner than the rest of us and won’t need as much money for old age.
The man wrote: “How dare you wish for death to those that smoke ... We have children, we have lives, we have rights.”
I don’t wish for anyone’s death, but statistics show that people who smoke live 5 to 6 years less than those that don’t. In fact, the latest report is that every time you smoke a cigarette, it takes 6 minutes off your life.
So my actual wish is that everyone didn’t smoke and they would live a long as the rest of us. That way you would have longer life and more years to spend with your children.
Here’s another statistical health tip: Get a cat. People who have cats have a 40 percent less chance of a heart attack.
The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this weekly column for The Herald.
