Even though I know many, many veterans, the oldest veteran I know is a man drafted in late 1943.  He left behind a young wife, a daughter barely two years old and a six-month old son.  He put his old Ford on blocks, took the tires off and left to serve his country in a time of war.

He became a weapons expert and served honorably in Central America for over two years.  When World War II ended, he returned to his country and his family.

He fathered one more son and worked very hard to raise his kids.  He built homes and became a successful home builder.  His two sons grew up playing baseball and doing the things all other kids of the time did.  When duty called, they served in the Navy and the other in the Air Force during the very confusing times of the late 60s.

Blessed like the father, both sons returned to their families to develop successful careers in their respective fields.  All during this time, the oldest veteran I know kept telling his wife that the sons wanted to do their share and serve and that he knew that both would return from war safely.

Like the oldest veteran I know had said, both sons returned safely.

The oldest veteran I know has been blessed to see his 95^th birthday and is in fine health and looking, GOD willing, to make the century mark in 2007.

We watch a football game and shared a couple of beers and commented how the world has changed.  At 95 he has seen so much, done so much, and lived to see his service buddies pass on one by one.  He remembered his buddies from New York, New Mexico and Louisiana and wondered what had transpired in their lives.  He said that he hoped they had lived a good life like he had and wished them well.

 A good man this oldest veteran I know. I happen to know all these things about the oldest veteran I know because he is my Dad.  My Dad and I shared a good Veterans Day.

Signed: Raul Flores, Jr.