A 2013 Veterans Day Story

Pretty Good Gift for the 94-Year-Old Veteran

Veterans Day has changed so much for Dad. Prior to his stroke, he was always gearing up for a parade, a Woodland School Veterans Day observance, or even on occasion, a classroom presentation about his tour of duty in the European Theater in World War II. Now that day is punctuated primarily with me saying throughout the day, “Happy Veterans Day, Dad!”  and my sister Angie sharing heartfelt responses of gratitude from friends and relatives to her Facebook posting of a Veterans Day tribute  to him.

Dad with Raymond Renfro as Raymond drives
them in the Fairfax Veterans Day parade in 2011

Dad served his country in World War II flying combat missions over German-occupied territory as an upper turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon returning from his military stint, his father gave him some cows and Dad resumed raising cattle. He always had cattle even when he was working eight-hour days constructing custom-built homes for neighbors and friends. So I was not surprised when just a few years ago I asked what he enjoyed doing most and he replied, "I like raising cattle best."

My Dad, Edmund Gates, Jr., and me
 following the Fairfax
Veterans Day parade in 2010

Veterans Day 2013 turned out a little more exciting and rewarding than we could have ever planned or engineered it to be. Late in the afternoon, I headed down to feed pellets to the cows. I had been on baby calf watch with Belle.  What joy when lo and behold, there came Belle and a tiny white bull calf!  By the time I arrived at the house after feeding, I had decided to name Belle’s baby, Veteran, and could hardly wait to tell Dad what a wonderful blessing God had given him on this special day. My sister has dubbed him “Little Vet" which seems to have stuck.

Belle and Little Vet on Veterans Day of 2013

Of course, Dad didn’t attend the parades or observances. No classroom presentations were made, but I truly believe God gave this courageous veteran who risked his life for his country one of the best gifts a cattleman by choice could want –  an indication of God’s blessing on the future of his herd – a new little calf. Maybe Little Vet is an unusual Veterans Day gift, but I think he is a pretty good gift for my dad , the decorated World War II veteran and still an Oklahoma cowman at heart.

A Perfect Addendum to Veterans Day 2013

Dad with his certificate from Woodland School

A large envelope addressed to Dad arrived in the mail on Friday. It had a note of gratitude from our district’s elementary principal, Claudette Mashburn, accompanied by a personalized certificate of appreciation and honor presented at the Veterans Day School Observance on Monday. It made his day!