Honoring Our Veterans

Veteran’s Day is fast approaching.  You may witness parades, an abundance of United States flags flying, gatherings of service men and women and their families for a meal or other celebrations, or even hear speeches by politicians who stop to give honor and gratitude to those who dealt with the cruelty of war through front line combat, service on ships, in the air, or in other ways.
We have much to be thankful for regarding these amazing men and women who answered the ‘call to action’ and have given a part —or all—of their lives to protect the freedoms, we in this country often take for granted.  These patriots, over the years, have displayed strength, dedication, and sacrifice to God and country, in ways those who didn’t serve can only remotely relate to.

Freedom Is Not Free

While not a veteran myself, my husband is a retired Marine and served in the Viet Nam War.  He and others were exposed to Agent Orange and other contaminates which have affected physical and emotional health.  During that era, service men and women were often held in contempt for their participation in a war many people did not understand.  Upon return to the States they were treated with cruelty and hostility.

Since the Viet Nam era, those returning home have been treated much more kindly, with acceptance in their participation in conflicts and engagements which happened on foreign soil.

But our freedoms aren’t free. They are costly! Many of the returning soldiers, from the Viet Nam era and those wars since then, have had to deal with terrible suffering, both emotionally and physically.  War is not pretty. It’s cruel.  It costs the lives of some, and in others has created disabilities which must be dealt with for the rest of the person’s life.  We owe so much to those men and women who chose to sacrifice their lives for something bigger than themselves.

Celebrating Our Veterans

Veteran’s Day is a celebration of our brave military!   It’s a time to be thankful for the heart and belief in our country to each person who has, or is currently serving.  Their stories should not be lost to the ages, but shared with loved ones, and others who need to understand how great a commitment these men and women made and have given each of us, even if indirectly.

It’s a time to recognize those who fought and gave their lives.  It’s a time to thank those who fought and came back and rejoined their families, even though it requires working through the memories and hardships of the conflict they lived through.  It’s a time to thank those whose wartime experience left them with a disability for the rest of their lives.

Reach out to a Veteran this week.  Let them know you appreciate their efforts of protecting you and your family without counting the cost.  Thank them for their service.  Pay tribute to all the branches of the military and the hardships they’ve had to endure.  This seems to me, to be the very least we can do.  I hope you agree.

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