Veterans Day

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!”   – Sun Tzu

I isn't just a piece of cloth, not to the men and women of the United States military that selflessly volunteer to take on the mantle of soldier, protector, and hero.  Heroes all, and they will be the last to willingly accept the title.  They do a job, walk the fence line, man the gates against the barbarian hordes, fight and die.  They do this, not for acknowledgement, or glory.  They do this with full knowledge they may come home in a box, draped with this "piece of cloth."  They do what they do for an ideal that escapes most Americans anymore;  love of country, patriotism, and sacrifice for the common good.

 

I grew up after World War II, when conflicts became "police actions" that were never won, and our men and women became the focus of ridicule, and saddled with the label of baby killers.  Much has changed with the way we treat our returning soldiers.  It reflects more the days of old with parades and bands.  What hasn't changed is the horror of war, the broken bodies and minds, the dead and dying.  And, yet, they re-up for another tour.  These special men and women that have seen what many of us don't want to and understand what the news media cannot begin to express in words, go back for more, until many don't come back at all.

 

Love does not do justice to the feeling of comradery one has with this special group of people.  Once you have taken the oath of service you begin to experience a bond that goes beyond inter-service rivalries.  Nothing makes me choke up more than to see coffins with flags draped over them, the knowledge that more brothers and sisters have given their all for an idea that there is something greater than themselves; the idea that freedom requires the sacrifice of a chosen few so the many might enjoy the fruit of their effort.

 

This Veterans Day, take a moment to reflect on those that risk their lives daily so you might live secure, and free.  Take a moment to thank a vet for their service.  It embarrasses the hell out of them when you do it, but watch the look of pride that comes over them for it.

 

I love them all, always have, and always will. 

“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.”  —Mark Twain