RICHMOND, Texas — Monday is Veterans Day, and to honor that day, a group of children brought a lot of joy to veterans living at The Legacy at Long Meadow, a senior community in Richmond.
In addition to listening to a rendition of Taps played by two young brothers, kids from The Children’s Lighthouse at Harvest Green spent the morning knocking on the veteran’s apartment doors and bringing them personalized thank you cards.
It’s an annual tradition Jim Mitchell said he looks forward to every November. The sweet act warms his heart.
“Just overloaded, overloaded all the way,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell shed tears as he shared his enthusiasm and heartbreak as he expressed what Veterans Day means to him.
“I hope they don’t have to go through what I have, what so many of my brothers did,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, he was just 19 when he joined.
“Some of the fondest and scariest times was Vietnam and Thailand,” he said.
A time that he shared included loss.
“I lost some friends," he said.
A pain he carries to this day.
“60 years later,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell eventually got married to the love of his life, Linda, who’s since passed. They had three children, and Mitchell is a proud grandpa to several grandchildren.
Now, at the age of 80, he said he finds comfort when he sees future generations honoring servicemen and women, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.