11/11/11

Holidays mean different things for different people, and everyone has their favorites.  As a Christian, I appreciate Christmas as when we were given the ultimate gift and Easter as when we received the ultimate reward.  I like Thanksgiving because it involves two of my favorite activities, eating turkey and watching football.  Independence Day is important as well (for obvious reasons), but my favorite holidays have to be Memorial Day, and especially today, Veterans' Day.  Were it not for our veterans, we very well may not even be celebrating Independence Day anymore.  We Americans hold a special place for our veterans, and that is as it should be.  We have the world's only volunteer armed forces.  Every other nation, if they have a military force, require each and every one of it's citizens, especially men, to serve at least some time in military service.  We are different.  Our soldiers are doing what they do because they want to do it, not because they are required to.  That's huge.  The level of patriotism in these men ans women can never be questioned, for they stepped forward when no one else would. They ran toward danger when everyone else ran away.  They stood and said, "I will lay down my life so that this great nation can endure."  My grandfather served in the Air Force for over 20 years and fought in World War II.  My stepfather fought in Vietnam.  There are soldiers that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan that I am proud to call my friends (By the way, Don Meserve and Kris Penzig, welcome home!).  Although I also served, albeit briefly, these individuals and others like them served at a level that I never did and I would say all gratitude and appreciation should be bestowed upon them and not upon me, even though I've been told I'm just as much a veteran as they are.  I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now.  But I will say this, if I was asked to serve again to defend this great country, I wouldn't hesitate.  I'd be at the recruiter's office tomorrow.  Let me close this by saying it is my sincere hope that all future soldiers are welcomed home like they are now, with great love and appreciation.  Let us be sure that what happened to our Vietnam vets upon returning home NEVER EVER happens again.  Tell your children how soldiers should be welcomed home or better yet show them so that we never make that horrible mistake again.  One day a year to say "thanks" isn't enough.  Every day should be Veterans' Day.  Thank you to all our soldiers and veterans.  Your sacrifice and commitment will never be forgotten nor will it ever be taken for granted.  God bless each and every one of you.