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In these busy times, it is easy for all of us to fall into the trap of “getting around to” stuff. Most of you are probably thinking about exercise or cleaning out the garage, attic, closets, etc. But I’m talking about honouring those we love. Whether we’re considering some big, splashy celebration or an unexpected [read: non-birthday/holiday] card, we almost never seem to get around to it.

On a recent sun-drenched fall day in South Georgia, a group of family and friends did get around to honouring someone special – my Uncle Doug. The day was Veterans Day, which this year happened to be 11/11/11, and the location was the National Infantry Museum (NIM) in Columbus, Georgia. All in all, about 40 folks flew and drove in from as far away as Miami and Philadelphia. The event somehow remained a surprise to Uncle Doug, even though it had been in the works for over a year. Our honouring of my uncle was as simple as saying to him, with a small (actually, not so small) ceremony and a plaque beneath the Georgia flag, that we respect what he and other veterans have done for,  and meant to, all of us. A few speakers rose to convey to Doug what we all felt – although more eloquently than the rest of us could have managed – about him. Even though he has a stack of medals and other commendations, I have no doubt that this is the best recognition he could ever hope for, because he is all about friends and family.

Read more on page 58 in the December Issue