The past few months, and really the last year, has been a whirlwind. Despite the differences, despite the rhetoric, we are the greatest nation in the entire world. This country has always been protected by those men and women willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedoms. It is not enough to have just one day a year celebrating those who served in the United States military. This day, and every day, we recognize the willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice their freedoms for ours without reservation and without grievance.
“Veteran’s Day is important for a myriad of reasons,” said Andy Abel, television host of The Coin Vault. “For me personally, it’s a day to reflect on both of my grandfathers serving in the United States Navy during World War II.”
Often talking about their grandfathers and their service on air, both Andy and Tyler (Abel) emphasize the conversations they had with their grandfather, the late founder of SilverTowne, Leon Hendrickson.
“Our Grandpa Abel never liked to talk about his experience, but Grandpa Hendrickson would usually be pretty open,” Tyler, The Coin Vault television host, said. “I took him to quite a few ship reunions. I think we went to Cleveland, Kansas City, New Orleans, and South Carolina. I vividly remember them being held on modern aircraft carriers. Whenever they would throw the wreath over in remembrance, it was quite powerful.”
“I think both grandfathers saw significant battle action when they served,” Andy stated. “Grandpa Hendrickson was a gunner's mate on the U.S.S. Caldwell DD605.”
“This place would not be here if it were not for our grandfathers serving but also for all the veterans that served,” Brock Abel, CEO of SilverTowne, added. “SilverTowne was started because of our grandfather, and we obviously wouldn’t be here without him or our Grandpa Abel.”
Putting aside the very personal meaning of Veterans Day to the Abel brothers, they also stress the importance for all the obvious but very significant reasons.
“All the simple luxuries and conveniences that we ALL have are because of those who dedicated their lives for our freedoms,” Andy stated. “We owe them a tremendous amount of gratitude, although it will never be enough.”