Every year on November 11th we celebrate the men and women who have selflessly served in the United States military. Originally this was the date was called "Armistice Day" commemorating the armistice between Germany and the allied nations ending World War I. Armistice Day was originally meant to honor those who served in that war, however the decision was made in 1954 to change to name to "Veterans Day" which was meant to honor all American veterans regardless of when or where they had served. Each year the President issues a Proclamation which officially proclaims November 11th as Veterans Day.
In honor of Veterans Day most federal offices are closed - and as with other holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day I often wonder if the people who have that day off actually ever think of the reason for the closings. When was the last time you thanked a veteran for their service to their country? I hope you have, and I hope it was recently. A story comes to mind that my son told me. He is in the Air Force Air National Guard and talked to me about a train trip he took from CT to his base in MA a few years back. He was dressed in his fatigues (camouflage uniform) which is the way they travel to and from their monthly drill. As he was getting on the train a woman came up to him and said "thank you for your service to our country". I believe he responded by saying something like "you're welcome" and I know he was a bit embarrassed by the event, but I know he will always remember it and be grateful that someone loved this country and its military enough to thank him for his service.
I have also seen times at airports where troops are returning home from overseas, and as they come into the airport from the plane sporadic applause breaks out among the people in the airport. I love hearing about that. If Vietnam taught us one thing it is to respect the men and women that selflessly defend and serve our country day in and day out. Those veterans did not earn any of the ridicule they received on their return home, and I believe it is important to let them know that by giving them our thanks whenever we can.
So this Veterans Day, and any other day you think to, please thank a veteran for his or her service to our country. All of the God given freedoms of this great land have been bought and paid for by our veterans. The number one function of the federal government is to keep our people safe; that is accomplished by having a strong military both here and, when necessary, abroad. When speaking of our military, an unknown author once penned "Whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." Many years ago, my wife and I were at my son's graduation from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas, and this was brought home to us in a very real way during their Oath of Enlistment. I unfortunately do not remember the exact words, but they pledged to defend this country if need be with their lives. That shook me to my core - of course because I was hearing my son say these words, but also because of the hundreds of other airmen that were saying the same thing...and meaning it.
How about this for an idea? Grab a veteran (be easy though!) and buy him or her a cup of coffee. Or, just merely thank them for their service. Will they be embarrassed? Perhaps. But, as with my son, it is something they will probably remember for the rest of their lives. To everyone who has served, such as my father in law, and my two friends named Jim, and to those who presently serve, thank you for what you have done and what you do for our country. We owe you more than can be repaid. Happy Veterans Day!
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