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Veterans, Thank You For Your Service

As much as it should be every day, there are a few designated days which ask us to stop and say “Thank you” to those who have made a commitment in their lives to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States” and all that it stands for, by serving our country as members of the military. Whatever uniform they chose/choose to wear in any of the five branches of our country’s defense groups, the men and women who have made the sacrifice, some of them making the supreme sacrifice, must know how much we, as a nation, appreciate their service and sacrifice to justice and freedom, not only within America itself, but across the globe as well.

As stated, it is too bad there are only a few of these designated days to honor these heroes, and it is a shame that we need to be reminded to honor and thank these brave people for putting their own selves and their own lives aside for anywhere from three to 40-plus years and putting so many other people’s selves and lives ahead of theirs, but it happens, nonetheless, and this Wednesday is one of those days, and here is another reminder to say “Thank you” to anyone and everyone who has served in the defense of America and in support of our Constitution and way of life.

This coming Wednesday is Veterans’ Day, previously referred to as Armistice Day. It is a day first remembered as the day honoring the Armistice Agreement signed on Nov. 11, of 1918 at 11 a.m. (the eleventh hour of the 11th day of the 11th month) marking the official end to World War I.

Veterans’ Day, as what is celebrated in today’s day, is different from the celebration of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is the celebration and tribute to those who gave the supreme sacrifice of their life in defense and protection of country and fellow man. Veterans’ Day honors and pays tribute to all who have served, and who presently do, in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or National Guard. As I have stated numerous times in November 11 essays, and in Memorial Day narratives within this forum, it is fitting, proper, but more importantly, imperative, that we stop and pay tribute to those who made this commitment to protect the freedoms of this great nation.

Our forefathers wrote the words of the Constitution, the three branches of government carry out the words of that document, but the military is the defender and protector of that certificate of the American way of life.

Everything we have, every opportunity we are given, every chance we are granted to be whatever we can become, is there for us because that paper exists as it was written 200 plus years ago, and because of those who fought/fight to ensure that we would always be allowed to live under the blanket of that document.

Countries have tried to tear up that Constitution, countries have tried to burn it, trample on it, and all that it represents. Other countries don’t want their citizens to know it exists because they don’t want their people to want those same freedoms and opportunities as we have as Americans. But every time that paper is threatened, every time people are persecuted for believing in, or wanting to live, under that certificate, our military has been there to answer the threat.

So how can we pay tribute and say “Thank you” to these brave men and women on this coming Veterans’ Day? You can visit a cemetery and where you see a marker that indicates a veteran is laid there, say “Thank you,” or tip your cap, or give a salute. Attend a memorial service for the veterans of any or all of the battles our country has fought. Shake the hands of those veterans still with us who are also attending that service or program. Fly the flag at your homes. Salute that flag outside before starting your day.

When you go and get your coffee Wednesday morning, leave some money with the person at the counter or drive-thru and tell them to give a cup of coffee, a doughnut, or something to the next veteran who comes through compliments of an appreciative citizen. Do the same at wherever you may have lunch or dinner out on Wednesday. Contact a veteran in your family or circle of friends and take them out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If they have no one to share the day with, invite them to do something with you. Contact a veteran and ask them if they need a ride anywhere, maybe to the grocery store, or department store, or to a veterans’ service. If there is a veteran in your neighborhood, see if they need anything done around their house. Explain to your children and grandchildren why they are getting this day off from school and also explain that many of the veterans might probably be working on the day that you get off because of their service. I guess it holds true to the fact that the veterans worked for us by defending the Constitution and our rights, and many of them have to work on the day set aside and designated to honor them, so many others can be granted a day off.

Our country has been threatened, it has come under attack, it has been challenged in other countries of the world, but it has never fallen because of the men and women who have served this nation and have answered the call to duty in defending the freedoms we have. It truly is fitting, proper, and again, imperative that we say “Thank you” to all of the veterans, those who have fallen, those who have passed, and those who presently serve, for the sacrifices they have made, and do make, so we can enjoy the lives we have as citizens of these United States of America.

Thank you, Veterans. God Bless each and every one of you, and God Bless the U.S.A.

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