The Veterans’ Day Ramblings Of A Rambling Wreck of An Old Vet.

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." (George Orwell).

On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere and others rode through the towns and villages of Massachusetts warning our forefathers that the British were on the march.  Old Paul had not even completed his ride before our forefathers were grabbing their rifles, pistols, powder, and shot; putting on their boots, saying goodbye to their wives, children, parents, and friends; and marching off to “visit violence” on those who would do Americans harm. For the next 248 years, 6 months, and 22 days not an hour has passed where there were not men and women standing watch over this nation and our people.  Today we call these people “Veterans” or “Vets” for short.

There’s only one requirement to become a Vet - serve your commitment in the military honorably.  But fulfilling that requirement, even in peacetime - which we see all too little of - can be challenging.  In combat zones it is frightening at best and deadly at worst. 

Having said that, most Vets are not heroes, and they'll tell you they're not, though most of them served with heroes. Some Vets were shot at a lot, some only a couple of times, and the truly lucky among them – never.  But every morning, every Vet laced up their boots and did what they had to do in order to ensure Americans could enjoy their freedoms without worry. 

Even in peace time, Vets give a lot to this country.  It’s not just the early mornings and late nights, but also the deployments that last anywhere from a few months to a year.  Ask a Vet how many times they’ve said goodbye to their families and then sailed or flew off for months.  Ask them how many holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and school events they’ve missed.  Ask them how many of their children’s recitals, high school sporting events, and parent-teacher conferences they’ve missed.  Ask them how much they missed watching their children grow into young adults.  Simple things most Americans rightfully take for granted…because our Vets stood ready to do what they hoped they would not have to – visit violence on those who would do harm to Americans.

Not all Veterans are model citizens, some of them lose their way.  But all Veterans have done good things for this nation, often at great expense to them and their families.  In recognition of this, we have Veterans’ Day, so on this one day a year I ask that you take a minute to think about our Veterans, and if you get the chance say a simple ‘thank you.’  It means a lot to most Vets to know that Americans think of them every now and again. 

Just the thoughts of one old Vet.

Some of us got shot at once or twice, many of us never, and a few of us a lot. But we all put on our boots and did what we had to do.