Veterans are especially in my thoughts this week after I saw an emotional exhibit at Old City Hall Gallery Saturday during an Art Hop reception. It featured artist and veteran Chuck Prudhomme, and his portraits of North State World War II veterans, many of whom attended that night, braving a gully-washing downpour.
Today’s Veterans Day, a time when all veterans are on my mind, starting with my son, Joshua Domke, pictured here with this old water truck a few months ago.
I have plenty of photos of Josh in uniform during his years in the Marine Corps. Any one of those pictures might be more appropriate to represent Veterans Day.
But a veteran’s a veteran for life; long after the uniforms are retired. This photo is a classic example. It was taken in June, when Igo was ablaze and Bruce and I were on the brink of evacuation.
I was a nervous wreck. Bruce was a blur of motion as he packed our belongings.
Josh was a Marine with a mission. He borrowed a water truck (thank you John Buick Construction), filled the truck, drove it to our property, parked the truck and waited, eyes fixed westward, ready for the chance to protect the house he’d help build. Luckily, flames never reached our house, but if they had, Josh would have gladly battled them.
That’s my son, my favorite Marine and favorite veteran.
Especially on this Veterans Day Bruce and I honor and give thanks to veterans in our family, including my father Don Chamberlain, who served in the Marine Corps; Bruce’s father Marko Greenberg, who served in the Navy; nephews Steven Goedert, who served in the Marine Corps, and Brant Edgar, in the Navy.
We thank all veterans who sacrificed so much for the rest of us.
Here on Food for Thought: A News Cafe, we welcome you to share some words about your special veterans.
We honor them. We thank them for their service.
Kelly here, with a few photos from the reception at Old City Hall on Saturday night. (Apologies for the low quality. My ancient cell phone camera is handy but not particularly technologically advanced.) The gallery was packed with people.
