Growing up, Veteran's Day was a holiday. A full blown one, which meant everything was closed....no shopping, not even most gas stations were open. There were parades, memorials and tributes made to those who have fought - and continue to fight - to keep the stars and stripes forever.
Today it seems to be nothing more than a shopping day...or a day off from work. And even that trend seems to be disappearing, as most people I know are at work today. I was one of the shoppers - food shopping with my daughter. I did not see one parade, nor did I see many people at the cemetaries I drove by - something that in years previous would hold up traffic; there would be a line to get in and place flowers or flags at the graves of our soldiers who have passed. What a sad statement that is...and I'm not exactly sure why.
No matter where you stand politically, and regardless of how your views may be towards our current administration - today is a day where we should remember and say "thank you" to those who risk their lives every day as their job. Our military is a free one - people join by choice. And we should honor and respect that choice, as well as be thankful that there are people like them around who fight these wars and risk their own lives.....so that we don't have to.
Other countries aren't so lucky to have a volunteer military...Other countries aren't so lucky about alot of things. And while we're quick to cast stones and talk about how "embarrasing it is to be American at this time", we should probably take a step back and remember that fact. It wasn't so long ago that we had a draft. People argue over who "dodged" and who didn't still today. Be proud and supportive of your troops, especially in today's world. Respect their choices. Because they are fighting in honor of the very principle that allows you to voice discontent and unhappiness within our own government. Our freedom is something that we take for granted.
`Freedom has a taste to those who fight and die for it that the protected will never know' written by an American soldier on a Hanoi wall.
If nothing else, just pay a moment of tribute.
This is what you can do for your country.
8 comments:
Rebbecca I'm sure you wont mind since I don't do this much.
If you are an American warrior, please come over to my blog so I can say thank you.
You can link there from Rebecca's blogroll.
Absolutely BWH....
I definitely recommend visiting his site if you haven't already. Not only are his patriotic writings beautiful...his writings are beautiful in general. Enjoy. :)
Rebecca,
Very well said! The following is a quote I use on my web pages devoted to the brave men and women who give of themselves every day, so that we can remain free:
We must never forget the words of the fallen soldier
"Freedom Is Not free." Freedom is
a precious gift, given to the rest of us at a great cost.
In their final moments, These
fallen soldiers must have said a simple prayer.
May this sacrifice make a difference, and may it keep someone else from having to do the
same.
Such sacrificial love must never be taken for granted. It must never become a fading memory. We must always remember. We must
always remember, so that we may always be free.
God Bless our Men and Women of the Military.....past and present!
We owe them, every one...
I can recall similar memories growing up, but it doesn't seem the same now. True, I grew up in a small town and my Father was a Veteran, so this day was a really big deal. The Rocky Mountain News today was basically dedicated to Veterans and different stories, but it's not like I remember it.
Our little town remembers Veteran's Day in a big way. I wrote about it tonight. But you're right...in many places, it's just another day w/out mail...
Thank you, Rebecca! My son and I went to a movie, and they showed a tribute prior to the main flick. "America the Beautiful" was the soundtrack, with Veteran's Day appropriate scenes. It was quite touching, but even more touching was that my son stood and sang along, all on his own. We all should show that respect. I've been happy to see this kind of post out here in blogland, and you've said it so very well.
We should never be embarrassed to be Americans.
All I can add is, Amen.
Post a Comment