Today, we’re going to depart from our usual focus on economic issues, to say a hearty “Thank You” to all of the veterans of the United States military. Whether you served on the ground in wartime or below decks peacetime – whether you flew bombing missions in wartime or guarded our coast lines in peacetime – whether you sat in a secret basement room breaking enemy codes in wartime or spent months at a stretch under water, with a dozen nuclear missiles in peacetime, you each did your part to make sure that the United States remains free… and for that, you are a hero.
When you joined the military, you accepted a responsibility that most people will never know or even understand. You effectively dedicated the next few years of your life and maybe even your life itself, to protecting this great nation for those who remained behind and for those who were yet to be born.
Even those of you who joined in peacetime, accepted risk. In early-1939, most Americans were trying to forget World War I and had no interest in what was going on in Europe. Sure, Hitler was rattling swords in Europe. But everyone wanted to believe that, with the signing of the Munich Agreement, Hitler’s aggression was at an end. Even after Germany invaded Poland, in September of that year, most Americans and most enlistees were fairly sure that the USA would not be drawn into the conflict. But December 7, 1941 changed everything.
The point is that whether you served in peacetime or wartime, you accepted a responsibility that changed you forever and made you a better man or woman.
We call those who served during World War II, “The Greatest Generation,” because there were so many of that generation, who didn’t give a second thought to stepping forward and doing whatever it took, to preserve this great nation. But for every Audie Murphy (the young boy who lied about his age to enlist and became the most decorated soldier of WWII), George Patton (probably the greatest fighting general in modern history), Alvin York (the WWI contentious objector who singlehandedly captured 132 German prisoners and killed 20 more), or James Dolittle (who led 80 other volunteers on a bombing raid on Tokyo, less than 5 months after Pearl Harbor was attacked), there were nameless thousands more, who were waist-gunners, paratroopers, or who charged heavily defended beaches. Sure, we have soldiers today, who are just as brave and just as dedicated as those soldiers who fought in World Wars I and II. But for their sheer numbers they were the “Greatest Generation.”
But just because today’s soldiers aren’t as numerous, doesn’t mean that they are any less heroic. They have to do even more per soldier, simply because there are so few in today’s “Me” society, who are willing to accept that responsibility. Worse yet, today’s soldiers have to do more, often with inadequate support or supplies, because the party in power has cut military funding. Today’s military men and women not only have to fight our enemies, they have to also fight our own government for the equipment and supplies that they need.
But it doesn’t stop there. Today, when our soldiers come under heavy attack and call for help that’s only a few of hours away, as they did in Benghazi, that help is told to “stand down,” for strictly political reasons, by a Commander-In-Chief who is incompetent or maybe even worse… a traitor.
There are not enough days on the calendar for Americans to express the deep debt of gratitude that we owe to all of our veterans. This day may be the day that is named in your honor, but know that patriots honor your sacrifice every day.
Thank you, Veterans.
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