On March 10, 2015, my son Alexander Paul Velichko, a senior in high school, drove to Albany and enlisted in the UNITED STATES NAVY. Early on this year, he thoughtfully invited representatives from the Army, Marines and Navy to our house to learn more about each branch of the Armed Forces. After meeting with each for about three hours, he settled on the Navy and is leaving for boot camp July 23 pursuing a career in Advanced Electronics.
This past Monday evening at our Varsity High School baseball game, during the pledge, Alex was the only player/student with his hand on his heart. All the other players had their hands by their sides.
Why was Alex the only kid with his hand on his heart? Was it because he was a scout, more specifically an Eagle Scout this past fall? Was it because of his love for his country, so much so since 8th grade he has felt drawn to join the Armed Forces? Of course, it was because he is enlisted in the UNITED STATES NAVY!
My eyes welling up behind my big sunglasses and with my own love and devotion to our country, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, my heart was overwhelmed with love and pride for my son.
Since Alex joined the navy, I can’t enter the VA in Montrose without tears in my eyes thanking each vet I see. I have a new respect and admiration for the military. Yeah, my dad was in the navy, my father-in-law was in the Army, but my son Alexander Paul Velichko is now a sailor in the UNITED STATES NAVY. There is nothing like the heart of a mom. May the Lord bless him and keep him.
May I take this opportunity to thank all our veterans who have served our country. Please join me in a prayer for our country:
“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. ”
God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
God Bless America Words and music by Irving Berlin
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
