It’s amazing to think of all those around us who are veterans. Obviously, you can’t always tell someone is a veteran by looking at him or her. It’s possible to know someone for quite a while without realizing they’ve served our country in the bravest way.
Some of us might have had an uncle or another family member who might have served in Vietnam or another conflict. Maybe they don’t like talking about it, so other people barely ever mention it.
While veterans might not necessarily expect to be seen as out-of-the-ordinary or special people, the circumstances they’ve endured have transformed them into just that. A Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial described the veteran as “an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being.”
Veterans deserve the utmost respect for what they’ve done, and not just when Nov. 11 rolls around each year.
It’s easy to get a feeling of patriotism when the flag is flying in the breeze and a voice is singing the national anthem in a reverent and otherwise silent environment. What’s more difficult is to hold a true understanding of the sacrifices of those who have fought for the United States.
It’s not a pretty thing.
Soldiers see the ugliest side of life. They see death and destruction like the average civilian couldn’t imagine. The lucky ones come back home, but still have to struggle with the memories of it all. Many have died on foreign soil, and many are taken prisoners of war and endured despicable conditions.
Some are MIA and presumed dead, and their families never hear from them again.
These things are hard to imagine if you aren’t a soldier or don’t have a loved one who’s serving in the military. We all know it, but to understand what it really means is something the average United States resident would rather not have to experience.
We need to remain thankful for what our soldiers do for our country so that we can continue to live the lives that we know. Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our country has seen a surge of patriotism and calls to support the troops. While that event was a wake-up call, we need to make sure we don’t fall asleep again.
Even the people who disagree with the current U.S. wars understand the plight of the soldier, and they give the troops their full support. Every sane person in our country wants our soldiers to stay safe and continue their excellent job of protecting us.
Thank you, veterans, for all you’ve done. We wish our current troops the best, as well. And we hope it’s something we’ll remember to do all year long.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement