Paddy the Golden Doodle Ponders Veterans Day

 

The Pride of Posey County: Paddy Ponders Patriotism!

By Pastor Jim Allen, Trinity Evangelical Church

A weekly column by Pastor Jim Allen,

featuring his philosophical Golden Doodle, Paddy!

 

It was a crisp, early November morning, the kind that makes you want to pull your flannel tighter and watch the sycamore leaves dance. I was sipping coffee on the front porch rocker, and Paddy, my verbose Golden Doodle, was twitching at my feet, clearly wrestling with a profound thought.

 

“Dad,” Paddy sighed, resting his chin on my boot. “I’ve been doing some serious pondering lately. What is it with people saying, ‘Thank you for your service’ when they see your Air Force cap? Is that a secret dog command? Like ‘drop it’ or ‘stay’?”

 

“No, Paddy,” I explained, ruffling the fur between his ears. “It’s how people acknowledge that I was in the military. It means I’m a Veteran.”

 

Paddy’s eyebrows shot up. “A Veteran? Like Doc Gretchen, who gives me those delicious treats and then… those shots?” He shuddered dramatically. “She’s a veteran, too? But she only serves dogs?!”

 

I couldn't help but laugh. “Close, but no cigar, buddy. A veterinarian is an animal doctor. A Veteran is someone who served in the armed forces—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and yes, even the Space Force. We put on a uniform and committed ourselves to a service greater than ourselves.”

 

“But Dad,” Paddy insisted, tail wagging in deep confusion, “Veteran and Veterinarian sound so much alike! Do they share a secret, ancient dog-word root?”

 

The Etymology of Experience

“Since you asked, they actually do share a common ancestor,” I said. “Both words come from the Latin adjective vetus, which means ‘old’ or ‘experienced.’”

 

Paddy stared, eyes wide. “Wait, so you’re a Veteran because you’re an old, experienced soldier?”

 

“Precisely,” I conceded, giving him a theatrical grimace. “Though, let’s be honest, I much prefer the ‘experienced’ part to the ‘old’ part!

 

“And Doc Gretchen?” Paddy asked.

“Well, her title comes from the Latin noun veterīnum, meaning ‘beast of burden’ or ‘draft animal.’ The original idea might have been that the doctor was treating the old, reliable, working animals on the farm like the draft horses and oxen.”

 

Paddy immediately collapsed onto the porch, groaning dramatically. “A beast of burden! So, Doc Gretchen is a doctor for the old, experienced beasts of burden? And I’m an experienced beast of burden who has to go see her for a mandatory government injection? This isn't etymology, Dad, it's a Latin conspiracy! Next time, I’m sticking to the safety of physics—no foreign languages, no needles, just measurable energy!”

 

“Settle down, you goofball,” I chuckled. “When I was a young puppy in the military, I learned a lot about growing up. Basic training and the structure of Air Force life taught me about duty, honor, and sacrifice—the things that hold a society together, far beyond managing a chapel or treating old draft animals.”

 

The Eleventh-Hour Question

Paddy brightened up. “Speaking of duty! I heard people talking about something called Veterans Day coming up. Is it a national holiday for all the old, experienced beasts of burden who give us shots and treats?”

 

“Not quite, goofball. Veterans Day is November 11th. It was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Now, it honors and thanks all who have served in the United States Armed Forces—in wartime or peacetime.”

 

Paddy tilted his head, his ears flopping. “A day for giving thanks to people who follow orders and risk things for others. That sounds… familiar.”

 

“It should,” I said, tapping his nose. “It echoes a Scriptural theme. Think about the greatest service ever rendered in history. Think about duty and commission.”

 

Paddy yelped the answer, “The cross, the cross!”

 

“That’s right Paddy, the cross! In the Bible, we are all called to service," I continued. "It reminds me of Christ's own words in the Mark 10:45 of the Bible, which says, ‘For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ The original Greek word for "to serve" is diakoneo (dee-ah-koh-NEH-oh. We get the word 'deacon' from it. It means to attend to, or to render assistance. It's about meeting a need.”

“Aha!” Paddy barked once. “So, a Veteran serves our country with their time and skill, and Jesus served us with his very life! That’s the ultimate service, Dad! The ultimate diakoneo (dee-ah-koh-NEH-oh)!”

 

“Exactly, Paddy. We honor our Veterans for their tangible, earthly sacrifice and service. But it reminds us that the greatest act of service—the ultimate duty—was rendered for us all on the cross. And our call to the ekkelsia (the Church) is to continue that spirit of service, finding ways to meet the needs of those around us, just as our Veterans served us.”

 

The Ultimate Catch

“Dad,” Paddy asked thoughtfully, “You said the military was a time for you to grow up. What did you mean?”

 

“Well, Paddy, I was a young puppy myself, immature, fresh off the Wisconsin farm. Basic training taught me responsibility to something bigger than myself. Don’t get me wrong, I was lucky. I was a Chapel Manager, mostly chasing paperwork. But some, like my son Jon and my daughter Sarai and my son-in-law Eddie, they all saw combat.”

 

“Combat? Where you risk your life?” Paddy raised his head.

 

“Yes! In fact, I was scheduled to go to Thailand in 1972. They were asking me to requalify with my weapons because the base I was headed to had been overrun by the enemy three times. Then, thankfully, the President was determined to bring peace, and my orders were cancelled. I’ve been forever appreciative of those who did have to fight for their country.”

 

“Well, that sounds serious, Dad. Were there any good times at all in the Air Force?” Paddy asked.

 

“Oh, plenty of good times, Paddy! I chased a lot of girls back then!” I replied, grinning.

 

Paddy’s tail went into overdrive. “You chased squirrels?” he yelped excitedly. “No way! That’s my job! Were they the big gray ones or the tiny red ones?”

 

I chuckled. “No, not squirrels, buddy. Girls. Like Grandma.”

 

Paddy squinted. “So, you caught Grandma! Why didn’t she run up a tree like the squirrels I chase?”

 

I winked at him. “I’m not sure who caught who, Paddy. But I can tell you this: she’s been up in the air about something ever since.”

 

“What???” Paddy looked up at the sky, puzzled.

 

“Nevermind, Paddy.”

 

Paddy wagged his tail furiously. “Well, I may not have worn a uniform, but I serve my community by keeping squirrels out of the bird feeder and reminding you to take your fiber. So, Dad, thank you for your service! And thank you for not being a veterinarian, who only treats old, experienced beasts of burden!"

 

I smiled, scratching behind his ears. "You're welcome, Paddy. Now let’s go practice your 'stay.' That’s service, too."

 

Pastor Jim invites you to attend the Church of your choice, but if you are looking for a Church home consider yourself invited to the 10:10am Sunday morning Worship at Trinity Evangelical Church located at 505 Mulberry Street. You might see a Doodle chasing squirrels outside!