A thank you letter to Veterans.
Nov 11, 2013 10:29:50 #
treehugger
Loc: Eastern Idaho Highlands
Veterans
As a nation, we have set one day apart from all the rest as a special day to remember and honor our military veterans. We cheer their accomplishments and sacrifices, and mourn their loss. We pat each other on the back and congratulate ourselves for our efforts toward making sure they know how much we truly appreciate their service. Then, we put on our everyday face and go about living the lives they co-signed for us.
My question to myself is: after their special day has moved past, and the flags and uniforms have carefully been put away, would I recognize a veteran who passed me on the street? And if I did, what would I say?
Most veterans I know, and I know quite a few, blend so well into the daily noise of normal living that it is difficult for us to see the pain of lost friends, missed holidays, and loneliness they have learned to accept as routine. What do you say to the guy at the coffee shop who suddenly stops laughing at your lame jokes long enough to remember that he had heard it before from a friend who didnt come home? How do you react when this same guy quietly whispers that he was in Afghanistan when his first child was born?
I fully understand how difficult it can be for some of us to comprehend what it means to be a veteran. Its easy for us to look them in the eye and say, thank you. We mean it when we say it, but do we truly understand what we are thanking them for. We may even be so touched by their service that we scrape up a tear or two without trying to understand what we are crying about.
In todays world, the phrase welcome home, has taken on a special significance far greater than it ever has before. It isnt too late to welcome home those who answered the call to serve when our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor. There are still a few of them left.
It isnt too late to welcome home the veterans of Korea, who served when the nation was weary of war and desperately longed for normalcy. It isnt too late to welcome home the young men and women who came home to catcalls and derision after serving gallantly in Viet Nam.
And today, we have the special honor of welcoming home our protectors who have served and are serving in the war against terrorism in the Middle East.
I hope that without sounding too maudlin, I would like to offer my own thank you to all veterans, who ever you are, and where ever you served. I may not recognize you when I see you on the street, and I may never understand the sacrifices you made, but I honor your service and I welcome you home. Thank You!
Originally published in the Island Park News
As a nation, we have set one day apart from all the rest as a special day to remember and honor our military veterans. We cheer their accomplishments and sacrifices, and mourn their loss. We pat each other on the back and congratulate ourselves for our efforts toward making sure they know how much we truly appreciate their service. Then, we put on our everyday face and go about living the lives they co-signed for us.
My question to myself is: after their special day has moved past, and the flags and uniforms have carefully been put away, would I recognize a veteran who passed me on the street? And if I did, what would I say?
Most veterans I know, and I know quite a few, blend so well into the daily noise of normal living that it is difficult for us to see the pain of lost friends, missed holidays, and loneliness they have learned to accept as routine. What do you say to the guy at the coffee shop who suddenly stops laughing at your lame jokes long enough to remember that he had heard it before from a friend who didnt come home? How do you react when this same guy quietly whispers that he was in Afghanistan when his first child was born?
I fully understand how difficult it can be for some of us to comprehend what it means to be a veteran. Its easy for us to look them in the eye and say, thank you. We mean it when we say it, but do we truly understand what we are thanking them for. We may even be so touched by their service that we scrape up a tear or two without trying to understand what we are crying about.
In todays world, the phrase welcome home, has taken on a special significance far greater than it ever has before. It isnt too late to welcome home those who answered the call to serve when our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor. There are still a few of them left.
It isnt too late to welcome home the veterans of Korea, who served when the nation was weary of war and desperately longed for normalcy. It isnt too late to welcome home the young men and women who came home to catcalls and derision after serving gallantly in Viet Nam.
And today, we have the special honor of welcoming home our protectors who have served and are serving in the war against terrorism in the Middle East.
I hope that without sounding too maudlin, I would like to offer my own thank you to all veterans, who ever you are, and where ever you served. I may not recognize you when I see you on the street, and I may never understand the sacrifices you made, but I honor your service and I welcome you home. Thank You!
Originally published in the Island Park News
Nov 11, 2013 22:38:17 #
Nov 12, 2013 08:33:13 #
Nov 12, 2013 09:03:48 #
Lightwips
Loc: Almonte, Ontario
Thanks to all who do remember. It means much more than you can realise
Nov 12, 2013 22:40:12 #
You wrote a well written letter of thanks,to the veterans who went to war & returned home only to be ridiculed.Every year,here in Australia there is a minutes silence to honour the brave young men who went to war & never returned.I always give a minute of my time as I have a deep respect for the "Diggers" who fought in the Great War.Its been 95 years since the guns fell silent & peace was proclaimed.Yes,I salute all of the soldiers past & present & Thankyou for your letter.Oh so true!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.