Veteran's Day



Today is Veterans Day. The day where we officially recognize veterans for all the work that they have done. Of course we should not just recognize, honor and respect our veterans on one day in November, however this is the day that is especially marked on the calendar for this unique group of individuals. 


This country would not exist without veterans. Think of those who fought to create our new country back during the American Revolution. Those who fought a tyrannical king so that we could form a new nation. A nation where ideally all would be free.  Today is the day to remember the men who fought for us so that we could be a new nation.


But we know that the ideal of America would not be easy. When this country was founded not all were free. (Even today not all are free but let's not discuss that now.). Because of slavery a new war was fought.  Brother was pitted against brother. Our nation was torn apart.  The Union prevailed.  We can thank veterans for that.


But as you know, veterans do not just serve here in the country that they vow to honor and preserve. There were two world wars, where an "axis of evil" was  defeated.  There were conflicts, police actions and peace keeping missions in places that we might have heard of before (but are now second nature to us):  Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan...the list goes on and on.


These brave men AND women called veterans, embody the third verse (or at least I think it's the 3rd) of "America The Beautiful."  


"O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country love

And mercy more than life!"


To say thank you for their service does not seem like enough.  But it is what we must do and not just today.  To thank those who so selflessly served so that we could be a free nation and that the world would be a safer place.


Thank a veteran today.  Thank a veteran tomorrow.  Thank one whenever you have the opportunity to do so.  Their service exemplifies the America we should strive to be.


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