Saying Thank You

It was the opportunity to do what all of us should on this holiday. A chance to shake hands and say thanks to the Veterans who serve this country. It happened last night in McLean at the McCormick & Schmick's.

My good friend Jill Collins extended the invitation some time ago. I told her I would love to be there. Two of my uncles fought in World War II. One in the Atlantic campaign, the other in the Pacific. In addition my brother fought in the jungles of Vietnam. So I was delighted to meet these vets. Now you get to meet them too.

First up, Johnny Restivo. He's a Fairfax
resident.

He's a retired marine, one of the early test pilots, a man who came within a whisker of having the right stuff and being an astronaut.

He's also a Vietnam Vet. He flew lots, and lots of missions in Vietnam.

Johnny spent some time talking to me and to Howard Bernstein.

One of the stories is worth repeating. He was on a mission when the guy at the controls froze. Johnny was going to pay with his life, unless he seized the controls. He did, and they survived. But he had to wrestle with the other guy to gain control of the plane.

This is Norm. He's another veteran from Vietnam as well. Like Johnny he's a Marine. He lives in Arlington and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. Thanks for your service Norm!

The evening ended up being a family affair for so many. At one table I counted three family members who were still active military, or reservists. I noticed a young man with bandages on his neck who had obviously returned from Afghanistan or Iraq. He was leaving the restaurant while I was coming in.

I will leave you with a picture of one family. They are my new friends, and former neighbors. We all grew up in Southern California together. When I asked where they were from, they mentioned the San Fernando Valley. I grew up in Tujunga, and they grew up in Pacoima. For those of you who don't know, Pacoima is just down the road apiece from Tujunga. We grew up about 10 miles away from each other. But we only met here on the East Coast.

Miriam Shields is retired from the Army. Her brother Garry is a Navy vet. Thanks to all of them, and the others vets reading this blog. And thanks to McCormick & Schmick's for saluting the vets, and providing free meals to them for Veterans Day.