In Tops Friendly Market this morning on Veterans’ Day. It’s 8:20 and I am in the only line that is open. In front of me is a couple not much older than me. He has on his veteran’s hat and shirt proclaiming Navy. As they have a lot to checkout, we stand for a while and start a conversation. I mention my son is in the Navy. The former sailor in front of me was as well, and they were married during his service. I thank her for her service noting she likely had the harder job, being married to a service member. They are there today and he is there with her, because Tops is giving an 11% discount to Veterans today. I am not sure what it means that our veterans feel the need to have to get an 11% discount, that we value them so little that this is necessary.

As I am told by my son, if you are at sea and your boat is on fire, if your best friend is on fire, you jump over them to go save the boat first. If the boat needs to sink with you on it to protect the country you do it. The order of importance is country first, then the ship, then the sailors. Save the country first, then the ship, then your fellow sailors. I am afraid that today as we wait for the sitting President to put country before self, that that concept is so foreign to the majority of my country men and woman. It was not, however, to the former sailor before me and his wife.

So thank you to Tops for honoring our men and women, they deserve it and so, so much more.

© by Daniel DeMarle 11/11/2020