This morning I had occasion to celebrate Veteran’s Day slightly different than I had in the past. I do mark this occasion with thoughts of people I have served with, those lost in battle and those currently serving, but today I was invited to an event at my children’s school to mark the day.
I met many Veterans from every branch of service; A POW from the very end of World War II, a few Vietnam era soldiers and some who have served in various capacities in their lifetimes. We had breakfast together, shared stories of those fallen that the media has forgotten, those friends we will always share a bond with and answered questions from our children about war, service and what it all means, not only to us, but to them.
It has been 19 years since active duty, supporting our nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. But today many of those emotions came to the surface and I wanted to share some of those with all of you today.
Here are a few things that I came away with today:
- Many wear the uniform for different reasons, but all share a bond
- Some love their country all the way to their core and some don’t
- Some see the flag and tingle with respect and reverence and others don’t
- Some see this military service as their greatest self-less act and other do not
- Some tear up when thinking or talking about the fallen, while others do not
- Some would sacrifice all while others would sacrifice nothing more than the time
- Some made life-long friends while others just marked time
- Some take their oath as a moral, spiritual commitment while others see it as nothing more than a contract
- Some see freedom as something worth fighting for, while others take it for granted
- Some mark today as an honorable day, while others live every day like Veteran’s Day
However you fall into the list above, it is your right and I respect that. That is the true nature of a Veteran in my opinion. We served so that our children and the people of our nation HAVE freedom, however they elect to apply it. This is also one of the things that make America… well America… We are a nation built on principles that few nations in the world really dedicate themselves to. This nation has survived this long on the values that we all share and the diversity that we promote in our lives.
I tend to get into some fairly political posts here, because I am passionate about freedom and my country. We have all earned the right to express ourselves and even disagree. I try to teach my children the values that I believe will help them cope as they deal with life. When they see an old soldier get all choked up over a story, to understand why. When they see someone like the POW today, ask questions and understand. When they see the news filled with war, conflict and tragic events like this past week, understand WHY it is important to them.
I happen to love my country, proudly reflect on my service to give everyone the right to freedoms that they can take for granted if they wish. I look at today as a day to reflect and thank those that the media has forgotten about, that don’t make the news anymore. I will thank those that came before me today out of respect, I will remember those I cannot personally thank and hope they are well and I will respect those who choose to follow this honorable path now and in the future, because that is what I believe an American should do EVERYDAY.
To our Commander In Chief I say this: Today is NOT about politics… Today is about your troops, past, present and future… Value their commitments more than any political action group, agenda or issue and YOU will be remembered in history as a fair and just leader. Our government was charged with providing the common defense of our citizens and in my opinion, that is the most important role our government plays in our lives.
I have followed many great leaders in my life and many have followed me. The one common thread has been a that you lead by example, being fair and just, with no agenda other than taking care of your people first. I learned that lesson a long time ago when I first swore my oath to serve. I have applied that throughout my life and use that guiding principle in how I conduct myself both at work and at play. What we choose do when nobody is watching or when it is NOT a special circumstance is what makes us who we are. I care more for the people that place their trust in me, than I do for myself at times because I know how hard that trust can be to give. I hope that my character, my service to this country and to freedom is why people look to me. It molded and created me, the good and the bad.
If you do nothing more today than read this, please… Thank a veteran for their service… a total stranger, someone you know, or someone you meet out and about… Then, try it again tomorrow… and the next day… and the next…
God bless our troops, the families who support them and miss them and you, for taking time to read today about something so important to me…