Today is not a day to celebrate those that died for their country.
It is a day to celebrate all of those that stood up and said, I will defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the principles that it stands for against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. I will do this at whatever cost it levies, up to and including my life.
They do not serve or fight for politicians, they serve and fight for us, the citizens of this country, after all, they are us. They serve and fight for those that stand next to them and those that stand behind them. This is the heart of the veteran.
They represent a very small group, only about 5% of our population 1 in 20, yet they are the defenders of liberty and freedom. They stand to and say, you shall not pass!
My uncle once said to me
I do not wear this uniform and serve my country because I love war, I do so with the greatest of hopes and convictions that the generations to follow me will not have to. So that they may inherit a world where peace and love rule.
He finally retired when he returned from Iraq, after serving 27 years.
Some veterans never saw the violence of war and never will, yet they made the same commitment and steeled themselves against the possibility.
These are the men and women we honor today!
As Always,