LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A personal thank you for a special veterans' event

Editor's Note: This letter was sent to John Alexander, and Jim Wade - author of the letter - was kind enough to allow us to reprint it.

Dear John:

Once again, congratulations on a job well done. Even though I shook your hand after the festivities yesterday on Armed Forces Day.

I wanted to put my feelings in writing. In a very professional way you did all the veterans justice by taking the carnival atmosphere out of our day and made it meaningful.

Normally I do not attend affairs such as this, as our daughter and your friend, Kristen, will tell you.

I hesitated attending this ceremony, as this was a first for me in Bullard; however, I am now very happy that I shared this day with you and everyone who attended and participated.

I can understand the feelings of your friend, the unknown name, who told it like it was.

There is no fun in war. Lives are changed, families are fractured and loved ones hope and pray that their loved ones come home safe and sound. In most wars boys leave and return men.

It is a job that has to be done, and if you are fortunate to return, as I was, you live to forget, and do your best to find your place in society.

Some are more successful than others.

Up until a few years ago, when Tom Brokaw wrote about the Greatest Generation, the vast majority of veterans never spoke about or made mention of their experiences about the wars in which they participated.

The Vietnam wall in Washington was one of the first steps and many of those veterans had difficulty when seeing it the first time.

Thanks to Bob Dole, the World War II Memorial was created in Washington, D.C., and that was one more step in bring out memories of past history.

At the insistence of my four sons, I was their guest at this dedication three years ago.

One again, I hesitated in going but one there it was probably one of, if not the most, pleasant and cherished two days I will ever spend.

It was a time to remember, to open up and to heal memories that were hidden from long ago. I was a once in a lifetime experience as was yesterday, when my grandson participated in the presentation of the colors.

In your own way, whether you realize it or not, you have set a precedent in Bullard that should be continued for many years to come.

You captured the same feeling that was brought out in Washington in a "down home" sort of way.

With no fanfare, several months ago, you announced what you and Jay wanted to do and you did it.

You planned it well, you carried it out well, and as mentioned, you took the carnival out of the day.

Please convey my personal thanks to all who played a part.

I can only visualize the many hours and planning that made this celebration of our country and the ones who have served, and I give tribute to their dedication for taking their time to make this a special day.

See you next year.

Jim Wade,

Bullard