Everyman
"At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
I've been running into "Everyman" lately. "Everyman", to me, is anyone I meet who is a perfect example of what America is about. These are the people who work hard, play hard, live and love life. They are the ones who wake up every day and earn their living. They count their pennies, they kiss their kids and grandkids goodnight and they love our country. They are probably not people you will read about in the paper or see on the news.
Last Saturday we went to a preseason NFL football game. We tailgated in a parking lot near the stadium and when we pulled into the slot that we were given, we pulled next to a truck with four gentlemen tailgating behind it. Four generations of a family, a Dad, his son and his two son in laws. Sticking from the sides of the truck were an American flag and the football team's flag. Waving proudly. As we got to talking, we learned that one of them is a mechanic and car detailer, with a new son, he showed us the pictures. The other served seven years as a marine and is engaged to be married next year. Listening to their conversations and watching them as they geared up to cheer on their team was amazing.
Yesterday I went out on a whim to get an autograph for our youngest. Our baseball team had one of their best pitchers available for signatures at a local store and I jumped in the car to do something I had never done before. With picture in hand I stood in line to meet our local star. In front of me in line was a father and his son waiting to have a baseball signed. Behind me was a retired couple who just moved into the area two years ago and are avid fans of our baseball team. The gentleman started telling me how his great grandson looks like our pitchers' son and he showed me the picture that he wanted signed. We talked about our team and the fans and our chance for the pennant. We talked about the weather and the traffic and the heat and the cost of gasoline. He told me about Philadelphia where they moved from and about all of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
When Vic and I first were married, these encounters with Everyman would warrant a specific response from him. He has always said that the reason he wears his uniform is for people like the guys at the football team and the people in the autograph line. The reason he serves is so they can go about their lives without worry of interference. He fights for the freedoms of "Everyman".
I've been running into "Everyman" lately. "Everyman", to me, is anyone I meet who is a perfect example of what America is about. These are the people who work hard, play hard, live and love life. They are the ones who wake up every day and earn their living. They count their pennies, they kiss their kids and grandkids goodnight and they love our country. They are probably not people you will read about in the paper or see on the news.
Last Saturday we went to a preseason NFL football game. We tailgated in a parking lot near the stadium and when we pulled into the slot that we were given, we pulled next to a truck with four gentlemen tailgating behind it. Four generations of a family, a Dad, his son and his two son in laws. Sticking from the sides of the truck were an American flag and the football team's flag. Waving proudly. As we got to talking, we learned that one of them is a mechanic and car detailer, with a new son, he showed us the pictures. The other served seven years as a marine and is engaged to be married next year. Listening to their conversations and watching them as they geared up to cheer on their team was amazing.
Yesterday I went out on a whim to get an autograph for our youngest. Our baseball team had one of their best pitchers available for signatures at a local store and I jumped in the car to do something I had never done before. With picture in hand I stood in line to meet our local star. In front of me in line was a father and his son waiting to have a baseball signed. Behind me was a retired couple who just moved into the area two years ago and are avid fans of our baseball team. The gentleman started telling me how his great grandson looks like our pitchers' son and he showed me the picture that he wanted signed. We talked about our team and the fans and our chance for the pennant. We talked about the weather and the traffic and the heat and the cost of gasoline. He told me about Philadelphia where they moved from and about all of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
When Vic and I first were married, these encounters with Everyman would warrant a specific response from him. He has always said that the reason he wears his uniform is for people like the guys at the football team and the people in the autograph line. The reason he serves is so they can go about their lives without worry of interference. He fights for the freedoms of "Everyman".
I turned on the email this morning hoping for a blog and wow did I get one, you make me love your Vic without having ever said a word to him! He is a lucky man to have you and I hope he knows you are making friends for him across the US! Love Ya! Lu
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