"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!" --Sun Tzu
As the mother of three military veterans, one Air Force and two Army, I have a deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice our veterans.
But before my own children served in the military, the family had a long history of military service dating back to the American Revolution, serving in every major war the United States has been involved in – including pre-Civil War conflicts. We have the records.
My admiration for these brave veterans who have served runs deep. Vietnam vets faced not only war but had to watch as their own country was in chaos over the war in Southeast Asia. With seven members of the family in the military and three in the Vietnam theater at the same time – I had no conflict with them serving. They were ordered and they did their duty.
Since that time, I have seen three family members serve in Iraq and Afghanistan ( a daughter, son and second cousin). While I might disagree with the politicians on strategy, I never for one second questioned the soldiers serving their country. Always, without fail, I will stand behind our troops.
Veterans Day honors living veterans, though many confuse it with Memorial Day, which honors those lost in battle. It is fine to show tribute to those who have died but we have many thousands who face the day-to-day trials of living in society. Too many people view the day as another holiday off from work to have fun.
I recommend people get to the know the vets in the community. Saying ‘thank you” once a year is fine – but how about doing more?
With current veterans and new ones entering your community, get to know them and welcome them into the community. Do volunteer work with a veteran’s organization or at a VA hospital (if it is permitted). Invite them to events. Creating a relationship is more a more effective way to say thanks.
There are outward expressions that don’t cost time or money, but if you want to get more involved, a lot of veteran organizations accept donations, money, time or even stuff from around the house. Your local VFW, Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project and numerous other organizations provide meaningful support to our veteran soldiers.
Saying thank you and shaking their hand is a start – now step up and do more.
I leave you with this quote from the book “We Were Soldiers,” by Joseph Galloway, photojournalist who was embedded with Army Col. Hal Moore’s group in Vietnam.
“Some had families waiting, for others their only family would be the men they bled beside; there were no bands, flags no honor guards to welcome them home, they went to war because their country ordered them to, but in the end they fought not for country or their flag, they fought for each other. We who have seen war will never stop seeing it; in the silence of the night we will always hear the screams. So, this is our story... For we were soldiers once and young.”