Bertrand Russell once said, “War does not determine who is right only who is left.”
My dad served in the Vietnam War, and as a girl, I loved seeing pictures of him in his uniform. My dad came home from the war weary, a little more grown up, and happy to have served his country. He and many other young men came home heroes and with the hope of starting anew.
To this day my dad rarely talks about his service, but I know the memories still haunt him. They come and go and, even at their worst, I know that my dad is proud of his service and of being a veteran.
Unfortunately, soldiers go through horrors that society may never understand nor would we want to. We often forget, as we go about our daily lives, just how much blood has been spilled to give us certain protections and freedoms. We often forget that there are people in other countries who suffer much more than we do.
This country has a long history of war. Some wars we may not agree with, but it’s our job to support our troops whether or not we agree with the war. I have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War and I applaud them for standing up for America and helping shape it to what it is today. I also have relatives who bravely fought in the Civil War and stood up for the people whose rights had been stripped from them.
I met a Navajo Code Talker once and I relished hearing his stories about World War II and what part he played in the war. With his native language, he and other Navajos were able to help transmit messages and orders about troop movements and tactics. The Japanese were never able to break their code and with their help, we were able to win the war.
Every veteran has played a crucial part in helping shape our country. We may not all agree on politics or whether a war should be fought, but we should never forget the very people who try to secure our freedoms and keep us safe. The men and women who put their lives on the line for each and every one of us deserve our respect and gratitude. Without them what would our country be like today?
Today is Veterans Day and my hope for you is to take time to celebrate a veteran. Perhaps if you’re working you can take a veteran at your office out for lunch, express your thanks and gratitude to veterans you see or know, create a care package to send to veterans overseas, or visit a veteran’s hospital. You don’t have to do something grand, but just taking a few minutes to give thanks to someone who fought for our country can go a long way.
