Veterans Day November 2012

Veterans Day

Freedom Is Not Free

To Those Who Have Not Served

On this day, much is written about the honorable men and women who served in the military.  For some, a day of solemn thanks for making us free.  Those that served know who they are and why they served; not needing much said or done for they already know.  They are warriors that are willing to give all for freedom and liberty; to put service above self.  Let us stop to give thanks as well for those that are no longer with us; who died in service or have passed on in these many years.  Many died so that we can have the freedom and liberty we have today.  Remember Memorial Day!

For many, this is simply another day with a label.  Having served in the military is an "experience" that cannot be easily understood intellectually.  True understanding comes "experientially". What does that mean exactly?  Simple, if you have not served, you have not experienced what our veterans have experienced and there is no way to truly understand what it means to be a Veteran. The best one can do is try ever so hard to put oneself in their boots to "feel" what it must have been like "in the moment".  Let's look at a but just a few:

-        Going downrange to engage the enemy (yes, that is still true today) not knowing if you will live or die.  BUT, choosing to going anyway.

-        Being advised the odds are greatly against you and your team yet engaging in the battle anyway.

-        Hugging your family close for what could be the last time - to be deployed to a very hostile place and going anyway.

-        During the heat of battle hearing your heart pound in your ears, hearing the bullets pop as they go by and persevering with an energy that only warriors understand anyway.

-        When you "go down", crying out in pain while not complaining!  Thankful you gave your all anyway.

-        Upon being healed, partially or totally, CHOOSING to return to fight with your brothers in arms anyway.

-        Crying over the death of a fellow warrior and not being ashamed, but proud to have been their friend in life and death anyway.

Many of you read this did not serve and have the experience.  To fully appreciate this day, go talk with a veteran.  Tell them "Thank you!" and ask them to tell you their story.  Listen closely and you will begin to "feel" what it was like.  Look into to their eyes and you will begin to understand what they "felt" and experienced. You can make a difference anyway!