Today is Vet-
erans Day in the US. This is the day we thank all who have served in the Armed Forces [For my UK readers, we have a Memorial Day in May that is closer to your Remembrance Day.]
I'd like to honor my close relatives who served in the military:
Father:
Edward H. Horn: US Air Force reg/. Navy Reserve (Korea)
Grandfather:
Andrew Shelak, Sr.: US Army (WWI)
Uncles:
Andrew Shelak, Jr.: US Army (Korea)
John Shelak, Sr.: US Marine Corp (WWII)
John Sawka, Sr.: US Navy (WWII)
Joseph Michur: US Army (WWII)
Rowland Kreglow: US Marine Corp (Korea)
Leonard Chowansky: US Army (Korea)
Cousins:
John Shelak, Jr.: US Army (Vietnam)
James Shelak: US Army (Vietnam)
John Sawka, Jr. US Army (Vietnam)
Andrew Sawka: US Marine Corp (Vietnam)
There were also more Andrews, Johns, and Joes in the family + two other cousins with the same first and last names, plus a couple of Michaels. When talking each other sometimes we had to be really specific about which "John, Andy or Joe" you meant! Growing up I always assumed "everybody's" dad or uncle or cousin had served. And with a lot of my friends, that was so. [Being born in the 50s pretty much guaranteed that that would be the case a lot of the time.] But I find that's not the case as much any more.
1 The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. 2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. 3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. 4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. 5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.
6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge. 10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.
11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. 14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name. 15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.
16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.
(The picture is of Washington Praying at Valley Forge.)
