Remember to Thank a Veteran Today and Everyday

There is a lot going on in the world of news these days. It seems like no matter what you do, there is no escape from the healthcare debate, party politics, and all the bickering. But, if you step back from it and take a look from a new perspective, you will see the greatness founded in this country that allows such debate. The fact that civil, and sometimes not so civil, discourse can occur between different factions is a testament to those who earned that right for us – our armed forces and veterans.

It is so easy to simply go about our lives each day and not worry about such matters as invading armies, daily bombings, attacks from militant groups from outside the country. But everyday somewhere on this Earth, our country has soldiers prepared to meet each of these challenges for us.

Every day, we should thank them for what they do for us. Specifically, on November 11, not a second of the day should go by without a silent prayer of thanks to our troops, our veterans, their families and all those who came before them who gave their service, and sometimes their lives, in defense of freedom.

I remember back when I was about to turn 18. Vietnam was all over the television news and the papers. The draft was still in place. I did my duty and registered. Shortly afterward, the draft ended and I was never called up to duty. I know the fear that I felt at the specter of going off to war. I can’t imagine how I would have felt if I had to go.

These days, the brave youth of this country volunteer to serve, just like generations before them. They are not called by the government to leave their loved ones behind. They volunteer – so others don’t have to.

These men and women go do the work that must be done to ensure our rights back here within our borders. Many have paid the full price of their life to protect mine – and yours – whether you ask them to or not, whether you agree with the war or not, and whether you want them to or not. They understand better than we do the sacrifice they make willingly for this country.

I sometimes wonder how they feel about those of us back home that have the advantage of our great nation’s freedom without having to work for it. Does it bother them when we get all fired up and call 911 because we are stuck in the drive through at McDonald’s and they are out of chicken nuggets? Does it bother them when we make statements of support for the troops but not for what they are doing? Does it bother them when they are put in harm’s way because of decisions made due to potential political ramifications and not upon the sound strategy of their military leaders?

I think it does. But, I don’t know for sure. I don’t know what it is like to be crouched down behind a wall with bullets flying over my head. I’m sure a lack of pre-shaped fried chicken meat would be the last thing on my mind and too much of a piddling distraction.

But, because there is that soldier crouched behind the wall, that call to 911 can be made; the politicians can debate the morality and rightness of a conflict half a world away from the comfort and security of their congressional chambers; and we can all fuss about traffic going to and from work each day.

Whether you agree with war of any kind or not is not an issue to be pondered for the next week. If we have a grievance with what our country is doing, we must lay that aside and thank those who are out there protecting freedom for us. Bear in mind, protecting freedom is not only protecting the borders of our country. It is also defending freedom wherever it is threatened because without it, the sins against our fellow human beings are greater than those inflicted by the war itself.

So, seek out ways to thank our troops, active and retired, as well as their families. They paid our debt and we owe them so much more.