Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. For those who have served or are now serving, it is a day of pride and recognition. For those who never served, but support none the less, it is a day to remember and go out of one's way to thank and recognize those that have sacrificed in a particular way. And for a very few, the day means nothing at all or it is a source of irritation at the so called hero worship they perceive as unwarranted.

Much can be, and is said of this final group. However, in my opinion, nothing needs to be said at all of them. They condemn themselves by voicing such opinions. The far more troubling scene on this day is that of the homeless alcoholic on the sidewalk still living out the jungles of Vietnam, or the college student in his room flirting with a loaded firearm in the knowledge that ending the memories of the streets of Baghdad and Fallujah would be so easy. It's also the girl from New Jersey who gives half of her paycheck to her mother who is living in a hotel room, even though she disowned her because she loves a another girl. It's the kid who has been the primary care giver to his baby niece because his sister is standing charges for murder, and it's the the guy who drinks himself to sleep every night in order to forget how much it hurts that the women he loved couldn't wait 7 months for him to get back. 

The truth is the sacrifices are greater and more irreversible than simply going to war. Most will never know what it is like. However, this does not make their recognition none the less valid, or their love none the less needed. 

For all those who support us, thank you.