Lately I’ve discovered one of the many reasons I like living in Kingsport and Northeast Tennessee is the realization that I find bliss and happiness (in general) only a few steps away. My friends have even used the word “pollyanna” to add a bit more vocabulary to my self-perception.
At the moment, I’m fortunate to work with an inspiring and influential group of people to improve the quality of life in our region. Tonight, I ran across another blog entry at a site called “R a n D o M n E s s . . .” and it makes our story a bit more telling.
Kingsport resident, Paul Rebrovich is a Vietnam Veteran and he reminds me how fortunate we are to have citizens that are true heros. A son has blogged his father’s recent Letter to the Editor at Kingsport Times-News.
Glad to be in your hometown Paul. We honor all soldiers every day.
My dad wrote this:
From: “R a n D o M n E s s . . .”
Veteran honors citizens of Kingsport
In recognition of Veterans Day, I would like the reverse things. This veteran honors the citizens of Kingsport and Eastern Tennessee.
Upon our retirement nearly seven years ago, my wife and I relocated from western New York to Kingsport. We chose Eastern Tennessee for numerous reasons, such as climate, affordability, mountains and laid-back lifestyle.
Never being active in any veterans organizations, this past spring my wife and I joined the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 979. Subsequently, we participated in the Fourth of July parade in Kingsport. While marching in the parade I was overwhelmed with emotion by the genuine outpouring of appreciation and gratitude exhibited by the spectators lining the parade route. With tears flowing, I remarked to my wife “I left Vietnam 37 years ago, and now I feel as though I finally arrived home.”
Thank you Kingsport and citizens of Eastern Tennessee for giving me and my wife one of the most heartwarming experiences of our lives. It was an honor serving Americans such as you and makes me so proud to be an American veteran!
Paul Rebrovich