Hal Wilson’s Blog

     This past Tuesday was Veterans Day, a holiday that seems to get overlooked by so many in our great country.  Perhaps you had a person in your family or a friend or yourself who has served in one or more of the branches of the military.         

My dad served in World War II in the Air Force and my wife, Dickie’s, dad served in the Navy.         

One of my regrets in my life is that I never had the opportunity to serve in the armed services.  When I was 20 years old, I received my draft notice and I was truely excited. I remember the morning I showed up for my meeting with the draft officers; there were several people in the room, probably around 20-25.  The officer asked the group numerous questions.  I remember the one question that disqualified me “How many in here are married?” about 4 or 5 of us raised our hands and were then told that we could leave.  It seems that President Kennedy had signed a law into effect that married men couldn’t be drafted so I left.  About 3 weeks later I returned to the Draft Office and tried to enlist in the Air Force and was told the same thing that they wouldn’t take me because I was married.  I have often thought about how my life would have been different if I had gotten in although I will never know.         

On Veterans Day as well as everyday, it is especially important to honor our men and women in uniform.  I think first and foremost they need our prayers.  Additionally they need to know we are thinking of them.        

  In the past, I have mentioned my good friend, Stacy Towery, who chairs a group called A Gathering for Soldiers.  Her group mails packages of goodies to our fighting men and women in Iraq.  This year they are sending Christmas packages with blankets and other goodies.        

One other act of kindness we as average men and women can perform is to thank a soldier whenever we see one.  This can be at the store, in church, at an airport or any place else for that matter.  Whenever this act of kindness is performed their total mood changes.  Only last week Dickie and I stopped at Fat Mos, a high cholesterol hamburger restaurant here in Nashville, and ordered from the walkup window.  A young man in army fatiques came up behind us in line so I talked to him and thanked him for his service to our country.  This seemed to thrill him a great deal.  We went back to my truck to eat when I heard a knock on the window.  It was the young soldier thanking us again an giving us 2 small army lapel pins.  Who do you think felt better that day the soldier or me??         

Also on Veterans Day, I spent most of it at St Thomas Hospital going through a series of CT’s, bone scans, and blood and urine tests as well as my infusion of Avastin.  A rather long and exhausting day.  The outcome however was highlighted by the fact that the cancer is still stabilized and has not spread to any other parts of my body.  All weekend before having the tests, I was feeling very badly with pain, unable to move my left arm and alot of concern; needless to say on Wednesday I felt like a new person with less pain, ability to lift my arm higher, and a better frame of mind. Yea God!      

Thank you again for your prayers and support. Hal