It’s Veteran’s Day weekend, please read and think about this… This Veteran’s Day weekend I hope that all will stop for a moment and give respect to all those, past and present, that sacrificed to protect our country, our rights, our freedom and our way of life. Honoring those who did should happen every day. Those of you that did not serve may find it hard to fully understand what a huge personal sacrifice it is to leave everything you know and love behind while you put your life on hold to serve our country. My Dad was an Airborne Ranger in the Normandy invasion and badly wounded. My oldest brother was a Marine who served in Vietnam in the 60’s. They both returned home alive but are now no longer with us. I can’t begin to imagine what they went through but I admire their sacrifices and they will always be heroes to me, as are all who served whether it was during peace time or war. I for one appreciate what all of my brother and sister veterans did and are still doing. Whether you came home to cheers as a hero after a popular conflict, put up with jeers and being spit on after an unpopular one or served during peaceful times. All of us that served understand not knowing if tomorrow will be your last day but still being willing to stand your ground and do your duties without question. It’s hard for civilians to fully understand the hazards of serving our country, even during peacetime. There are many dangers inherent in working with the tools of destruction, it’s a risk but part of the job we chose to do. Bullets and roadside bombs may make the news but our servicemen and women die or are injured every day in other ways too. Whether on the front lines or performing basic duties far from the conflict, the next minute could be your last. When I joined the Navy in 1974 the fighting in Vietnam was ending and my deployment was on an aircraft carrier far away in the Mediterranean Sea. The closest we came to combat was the 1976 uprising in Lebanon when our planes flew air cover for convoys of evacuees. We never dropped a bomb other than for training during that cruise yet at least seven died that I know of before we returned home. I worked on the flight deck and came close a few times myself, thank you God for letting me return home safe. We who have served also understand what “teamwork” really means. It’s not working 9 to 5 to gain success in business or trying to win some silly child’s game on the playing field. It’s being able to depend on someone to keep their head, under any circumstance, and do what’s necessary to get the job done no matter the risk. It’s knowing that you can literally trust others with your life as they trust theirs with you. As time goes by, the names, places and other details may fade but the faces of those you served with through good and bad are a part of you forever. It has been said the American soldier does not fight because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what he left behind to protect, I know that to be true. If you know of or see someone who is in or has served our country please thank them for their service, not just today but everyday. One good way I have found to do that is if you see someone in a restaurant that is obviously in the military, quietly call their waitperson over and buy their meal. It’s a small gesture but it means more than you know. To all of my veteran brothers and sisters, Happy Veteran’s Day. Thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 02:33:24 +0000
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