Happy Veterans Day—with a little extra homage to one extra special veteran

November 2022--Today, Veterans Day, we pay homage to those who served in the military on U.S. soil and overseas. For more than 100 years, it has been a day to honor and thank our veterans--beginning in 1918 once World War II officially ended. Twenty years later Veterans Day was declared a legal national holiday.

Today I thank all those who have served, are serving and will serve. Today I also will pay a little additional homage to one veteran in particular—my dad, Lou Mirabelli, who served in the United States Army.

My dad was drafted in 1951 when he was 21 years old. He completed his basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky—training with the legendary 3rd Armored Division, and in 1952 was sent to Pusan, Korea. He took such pride being part of A Company, 72nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, as the driver of an M4 Sherman tank.

Christmas Day in 1952 his tank was hit. My dad was among the wounded flown to a mobile Army surgical hospital (MASH). Once stabilized, he was flown to a hospital in Japan to recover from his injuries. He returned to Camp Crowder Missouri and was discharged in 1953 after being awarded a Purple Heart—a badge of military merit awarded to those who were wounded or killed as a result of actions by opposing armed forces.

I’ve omitted most of the details from his time in Korea. It’s not something he likes to talk about, so he rarely does. (As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even know I’m writing this.)

That being said, I was happy he accepted an invitation to participate in an Honor Flight in May 2016. And after seeing the joy in his face upon his return, I know he was happy, too. It was an amazing day for not only my dad, but for all the other veterans who participated. The Honor Flight celebrates America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials in Washington D.C.

He boarded a flight at Midway Airport, accompanied by other veterans and volunteers who provided support and assistance. None of us were on the day’s journey with him physically, but we were there in spirit. Prior to the day he was scheduled to leave, we solicited letters from friends and family. The letters were distributed to each of the veterans in “mail call” fashion on the plane. I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye on that flight.

We were told of the time the flight would return and we were in the airport standing ready to welcome him and the other veterans home. There were thousands of people there—holding flags and banners—waving, cheering, and clapping for each and every veteran. There was such a heightened sense of spirit and camaraderie between all who awaited the plane's arrival. And that spirit soared higher when the gate opened and the veterans disembarked the plane.

It was an emotional evening for us —so I can only imagine how it felt to those veterans. Our group—dozens of family members and friends—filled an entire section of the cordoned off area.

Honor Flight provides an amazing experience—not just for the veterans but for all who go out to the airport to welcome them back home. My cousin, Ken, who served in Viet Nam, was able to participate this year—and my cousin, Gina, volunteers for pretty much all these flights leaving and returning at Chicago’s Midway Airport. It was a wonderful experience for Ken—and it continues to be a wonderful experience for Gina. Thank you to Gina for graciously giving of her time to provide assistance at the airport for these veterans.

To my dad, who will turn 92 this month—thank you for your service to our country and for your love for our family. My dad’s been through a lot in his lifetime—surviving his tank being blown up, surviving a stroke in his 30s, surviving a collapsed lung on an airplane, surviving a house imploding around him after being struck by a tornado—just to name a few—oh yeah, and surviving raising his one and only. ;)

Take it one day at a time.