Veterans Day – Honoring All Who Serves
Remembering Colin Powell
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Cairo on May 12, 2003. Powell was on the second leg of a Middle East tour to seek support for a new international peace plan. He met with President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Maher.
Even though Powell was in Cairo for one day, he took time to visit the military’s families. My brother-in-law, Ming Leung, was a Naval engineer stationed in Cairo for five years. He and my sister, Queenie, and the two girls were there in 2003 during Powell’s visit. Powell had a photo taken with them. My heart was touched by Powell’s care about the military’s families.
Ming returned to the US after his service in Cairo. He resumed his duty at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Corona, California. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2006 and passed away in 2007 at 51 years old.
My brother-in-law Kevin Hurdle (my husband, Lynton’s brother) served as a reserved special force in the Army. He was stationed in Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In 2005, he was on the reconstruction team in Iraq, helping the local officials to reestablish their government. Kevin returned to the US after his term was over. We were shocked and saddened to find out the officer who replaced him was killed after five days on duty.
Kevin is retired and enjoys traveling with his wife on cruises. Viking is their favorite cruise line.
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The Showers of Blessings 
Thanks for sharing your experiences here, Miriam. I am sorry I haven’t seen your posts. I was following you, but I’ve now had to follow you again. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll make sure to keep checking to see that I am still following you!
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No worries, Barb! I don’t know what happened either. It seems to happen to several bloggers – less then ten. They had to re-follow me from time to time. I even write to WordPress about it, but it continues to do that. I follow my own blog so the posts show up on my Reader. I got un-followed my own blog many times.
Thank you for following me again. I saw that in my email.
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Oh good – I’ll keep checking to make sure I’m seeing your posts. Hope you are doing well 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this post of two veterans in your family. I bet they made lifelong connections overseas ❤
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Thank you, Jacquie! They didn’t mention it. I’ll ask Kevin when I see him next week for Thanksgiving dinner. ❤
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He was a strong and powerful man. My heart goes out to him. Thanks for this Miriam.
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He lived a full life and is an inspiration to many. Thank you for your comment, Anita.
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What a wonderful tribute to Powell (and Kevin, and for the deceased officer who replaced him) on Veterans Day. Thank you for sharing all the photos of your family.
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Thank you for reading, Priscilla. Powell served our country well in different positions. His passing brought back some family memories!
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It just occurred to me tonight that I haven’t seen any posts from you lately, Miriam. Guess why? Oh well, I subscribed again. Great post on Colin Powell. I always thought he was a decent man who loved his country. I didn’t always agree with him, but he conducted himself the way we all should—with dignity.
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WordPress is hopelessly disappointing and irritating, Pete. I’m taking a blogging break this month but had scheduled a few posts here and there. The next post is a blog tour commitment. I haven’t checked many blogs either. Just found out my left shoulder has a retear. May need surgery but don’t know until I need the doctor first of next month. Hope your November goes well. I hope we’ll have some winter rain.
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Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Enjoy your blogging break. It seems we can all use those from time to time.
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I hope it’s not completely torn this time around and doesn’t need surgery. I wonder if it can heal itself!!
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A lovely tribute to those who’ve served our country, Miriam. And great photos. ❤ ❤
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Thank you so much, Diana. The passing of Colin Powell brought back many memories. ❤ ❤ When my friend's son was in Iraq, she and a group of moms of soldiers had a support group. It was heartbreaking that many didn't come home.
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Thank you for this tribute, Miriam. You have a wonderful way of articulating the words that we are all feeling today. I think of my father who served in WWII. He was a farm boy, first time away from home. He recalls that he heard his mother playing a hymn on the piano as he walked down the lane away from his home.. A very sad day for his mother, not knowing whether he would return.
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I can imagine how your grandmother felt about your father going to war, Rebecca. I thought when Kevin came home from Afghanistan, he would stay in this country until he retired. I was apprehensive when he volunteered to go to Iraq. We respected his decision and we were glad he came home in one piece.
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Such a lovely post, Miriam.
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Thank you, Teri! Remembering such a great man,
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A lovely remembrance Miriam.
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Thank you very much, Peter!
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Such a beautiful post, Miriam. Thank you.
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You’re welcome, Denise! Powell was a great man.
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What a beautiful post, Miriam! My father served in the US Army for 25 years, so I know the commitment and dedication our veterans have toward our country. 🙂
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Good to hear that your father served for 25 years. Yvette! Yes, Kevin volunteered to go to Iraq after he came back from Afghanistan. He has the commitment to serve until he retired. 🙂
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Such a beautiful tribute, Miriam. 💗
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Thank you very much, Lauren. Powell is a true hero and inspiration. ❤
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A perfect tribute to the military folks in your family. Colon Powell was a kind man.
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Thank you, Darlene! Powell had a long history of services and served this country well. He was a genuine and kind man.
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Beautiful post, Miriam. Sharing…
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Thank you for sharing, Jacqui!
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Share the good thoughts.
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We must never forget 💜
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Exactly, Willow! We remember them, honor them, and hope that our countries return the services to the veterans who need them. ❤
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Yes indeed Miriam 💜
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wonderful tribute; I’m glad Kevin was able to retire and is now enjoying cruises with his wife…
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Thank you, Jim. Anything could have happened to Kevin while he was there. I’m glad he could enjoy life now. His daughter is also in the military.
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I wish his daughter the best as well…
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Beautiful tribute, Miriam.
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Thank you very much, Jill.
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Thank you, GP.
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Is that a nine line, GP?
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I can not say for sure, but it does appear to be.
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A lovely tribute, Miriam. I had the utmost respect for Colin Powell and for those who have served in the military.
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I respected Powell wholeheartedly, Joan! Kevin volunteered to go to Iraq. Anything could have happened to him. We’re grateful he could come back and now retired.
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That is something to be thankful for.
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Something we didn’t say but understood was that it could have been him if his term wasn’t completed 5 days prior.
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One of my cousins who was in the Air Force was injured in an attack in (I think) Saudi Arabia. He survived but many didn’t.
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My friend’s son came back from Iraq and suffered from PTSD for many years. He couldn’t stop crying. He could hold a job because whenever he had an anxiety attack, he had to leave the office. Eventually, he went to counseling and had it under control, and could hold a job. We send the boys out, and we must have a better system to take care of them when they come home.
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Lovely tribute to those who serve our country.
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Thank you, Liz. We must remember them.
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You’re welcome, Miriam. Yes, we certainly must.
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💖
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Lovely tribute, Miriam.
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Thank you so much, Staci!
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thank you, Ed.
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So beautiful post . So nice your’s sister & her family.
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Thank you, Rajkkhoja.
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❤ wonderful post
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Thank you, Beth. ❤
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A lovely post, Miriam. Wonderful pictures of your sister, Queenie, and her family, and your brother-in-law.
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Thank you very much, Robbie! The girls are grown and graduated from college now.
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What a wonderful tribute, Miriam.
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Thank you, Carla! I respected Powell wholeheartedly!
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He was an amazing man and Patriot.
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Thank you, Toni! I did the post with teary eyes.
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What a wonderful article, Miriam. Toni x
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Thank you so much, Toni.
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