As I get older, I get more sentimental I found. So at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, in the 11th month I found myself lighting a votive candle and saying a small prayer of thanksgiving for those like my Dad that served their nation right or wrong. I also said a prayer that we might be able to see a time that we might not have veterans to honor from generations younger than myself. And that we might not cast aside those that have served in "un-popular" "wars".
And being from the US, I thought about those vets (I make little distinction between active and "retired" - they are still vets in my book) still serving overseas that might not see their families again. I thought about the vets from Iraq (in particular) and Afghanistan that face a hardship of loss of their limbs.
And I said a prayer for those that lost their lives in doing what their country asked of them. For Veterans Day for me is to honor all vets, living or dead. Memorial Day is to remember those that had died serving their nation.
This may get the post deleted, or sent to the PF's. Yet after the prayers, I also knew that it was my responsibility to make sure that those that serve our nation in the military are not sent in to harms way for some personal gain for political reasons. That based on what is happening today in the war on terrorism (note there are no quotes here or capitalization) that the families don't have to have bake sales to try and get better armor for the troops. While the likes of Haliburton and others get no bid contracts in support of this war.
For honoring our vets is not just about honoring their efforts. It is being faithful stewards that they are given every opportunity to remain safe. Every opportunity to serve their nation with pride that they were not sent on a "fools errand". For it is up to each one of us left at home to make sure that our vets and fallen have been able to live up to what it means to serve our nation with honor.
And being from the US, I thought about those vets (I make little distinction between active and "retired" - they are still vets in my book) still serving overseas that might not see their families again. I thought about the vets from Iraq (in particular) and Afghanistan that face a hardship of loss of their limbs.
And I said a prayer for those that lost their lives in doing what their country asked of them. For Veterans Day for me is to honor all vets, living or dead. Memorial Day is to remember those that had died serving their nation.
This may get the post deleted, or sent to the PF's. Yet after the prayers, I also knew that it was my responsibility to make sure that those that serve our nation in the military are not sent in to harms way for some personal gain for political reasons. That based on what is happening today in the war on terrorism (note there are no quotes here or capitalization) that the families don't have to have bake sales to try and get better armor for the troops. While the likes of Haliburton and others get no bid contracts in support of this war.
For honoring our vets is not just about honoring their efforts. It is being faithful stewards that they are given every opportunity to remain safe. Every opportunity to serve their nation with pride that they were not sent on a "fools errand". For it is up to each one of us left at home to make sure that our vets and fallen have been able to live up to what it means to serve our nation with honor.