A few days ago it was Veteran’s Day in America. I am posting late because it was also St. Martin’s Day here in Germany.

I come from a family with a long history of military service. Both of my Grandfathers, my father, my uncle, and my brother are all veterans. My brother joined the Army after University and is now a Major. I once found my Grandmother’s Daughters of the American Revolution member card which means she showed proof that an ancestor of ours was a soldier who fought in the American Revolution!

Though these are not my accomplishments, it makes me feel proud that so many people in my family have bravely served our country.  I wish there were no wars, and that soldiers were not needed. Unfortunately, that is not our reality.

I now live in a country where, if you look, there are reminders of war everywhere. Here is one I often see. There is a name for these memorials- I remember reading about them in my German class. They’re called Stolpersteine (stumble stones). I think most cities in Germany have them. These “stones” are placed in front of the buildings where Jewish people lived before they were deported during WWII. They state their birth date, when they were deported, where they were deported to, and that they were murdered.

The building where Max and Flora lived is now a school.

Thank You to all of the men and women who have served so bravely and fought injustice around the world.