Yup, This Is Veterans Day. So What Are You Going To Do About It?

    On this Veterans Day, we have much to reflect on regarding our past and much to think about regarding our future.  We also have many people to honor.

The events of last week at Fort Hood in Texas have punctuated the importance of this year’s Veterans Day, and not only for the sake of the 13 soldiers lost in that massacre. This year, those events of a just a few days ago, only underscore how quickly things can change and how unexpectedly life and freedom can be taken away. It is all the more reason we must honor  those who are willing to, at anytime and for any reason in the service of this nation, face the same fate as the Fort Hood 13, as they serve and defend the United States to save our own lives and defend our own freedoms.

Unlike Memorial Day which is dedicated to the celebration of and tribute to the members of the military who died after serving our nation, Veterans Day is set aside to share heartfelt thanks and honors to the still living veterans of past military service and to those currently serving. This day is for those who have survived their commitment . It is for all those who during both, times of peace and of war,   have lived up to the commitment they made when they raised their right hand and stated;

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.” (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).

That oath is one that requires a great deal of devotion to, and faith in nation, to uphold.  And whether it was taken during peacetime or wartime, the bravery needed to face the possibilities in an unknown future is not lost on any who take that oath.   Be it a teenager or young 20 something taking the oath after throwing their mortar boards in the air at high school or college graduation, or the married paramedic and mother who took the oath after shuttling the injured to hospitals from the wreckage of 9/11, these men and women bravely know that they may be called upon to, at any time, test their ability to live up to their commitment.

And lest we forget, currently, We Are A Nation At War.

That fact seems to often be lost on so many in society, who live lives of luxury, with their IPod plugged ears, big screen plasma TV’s and fat free double mocha mint Starbuck latte’s. With the conveniences of modern life and the riches of capitalism and access to it for all, it is easy for us to forget about the hundreds of thousand of Americans waking up under sand blown canopies as the sound of rocket propelled grenades explode 100 feet away from their makeshift, temporary shelters.

Yes. We Are At War.

So if this Veterans Day is nothing special to you——IT SHOULD BE!!!!

Have you even thanked a soldier? Have you offered to help collect and send even a thank you card to one of them for Christmas, let alone a Thanksgiving care package?

Yes, this is Veterans Day and We Are At War.

Many of us may not fully realize what that means, but the men and woman of Fort Hood do. The soldiers handing out candy to Iraqi and Afghani children so that the war-torn children will tell them where insurgents are hiding out, know it.   And so does the skinny, scared kid who is, having his head shaved right now while his drill sergeant is taunting him with deafening shouts during boot camp, and wondering if his decision to serve, protect, and defend our nation was the right one to make.

Yes this is Veterans Day and Yes, We Are At War.

Don’t let that kid in boot camp think he made the wrong decision and don’t let the mother fighting for us in Afghanistan and yearning to see her children for Thanksgiving, think that we don’t care or don’t appreciate her sacrifices.

Yup, this is Veterans Day.  So what are you going to do about it? 

For a history of the Veterans Day holiday, please visit Military.com here.

 

Also,——there are many worthy charitable organizations that extend our fighting men and women hands of appreciative offerings and recognition.  Below is just one such organization.  Click on the image to visit the Army Emergency Relief organization.  It would at least be a start for you.

 

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