Today’s guest blog post comes from Mango Government Ambassador and Client Care Specialist, Jane Potee. Thank you for sharing your touching story with us, Jane!
This year’s Veteran’s Day has special significance to me. My 83-year old father relocated in September from Indiana to an assisted living facility nearby my home in Michigan. This year we will celebrate Veteran’s Day closer than we have for years. I always knew my father was retired United States Air Force Korea, but I never knew much of his time spent in the military. I am learning more now that we are closer in distance.
A few years back I was privileged to accompany a group of U.S. Marine Corps Veterans on a trip to visit the war memorials in Washington D.C. During this trip our group visited the following memorials: Vietnam Wall, Iwo Jima, World War I, World II, Korean War monuments and Arlington Cemetery. I picked up a Korean War Veteran’s hat at one of the local D.C. souvenir stands to bring back to my Dad. My Dad was a business executive and for much of his career his attire was shined shoes, suit and tie. I was not sure if Dad would welcome my gift of the Veterans’ hat, let alone wear it.
Imagine my surprise when he started wearing it. In fact he began to share stories with me of strangers on the street who would come up and thank him for his service to his country. I soon noticed a bit more “spring” in his step and a straighter posture when he was wearing his Veteran’s hat. Merchants and business people also took to noticing him in his hat, and acknowledged him for his country’s service. Sixty some years later, he was receiving validation for his time in military service, and it was gratifying.
In the few years that have passed since Dad first got his hat, his body – like his hat – has become more tired-looking and ragged with age. The emblem on the hat, however, still shines bright, much like the light within the retired Air Force Korean veteran that wears it.
So how does this story connect to Mango Languages? Mango Languages, a FEDLINK certified vendor, is proud to support thousands of active and retired Military and Government users all over the world. Many of these Mango users connect to Mango online via their assignment to a military base or affiliation to one of our Armed Forces. Mango created a customized program, Mango Military, which uses critical commands and phrases to better enable service personnel deployed overseas. Our program is also used by service members for whom second language proficiency is critical to their rank or command. For more information on Mango’s language learning solutions for the government, click here.
This year on November 10th, 2012 Veteran’s Day, take time to thank a Veteran. Like the quote says, “…they rose to the occasion. All of the values their mothers and fathers and grandparents taught them, they learned. They stepped up to the plate. They did not just follow their leaders, they ACCOMPANIED their leaders. Sometimes, they LED the way!”… And sometimes they still wear the hat that proves it.
FEDLINK Veteran’s Day Promotion:
To celebrate Veteran’s Day, Mango is offering new FEDLINK clients their choice of 3 Mango Playaway devices to add to your library’s collection. The set, valued at $120, will be provided completely free-of-charge to new FEDLINK clients that sign up for a Mango subscription by December 31st, 2012. For more information, please email usa.gov@mangolanguages.com or call 1-899-626-4611, Government Sales.
