"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce
man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join
him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." ─ Mark Twain
It takes courage for a
soldier, sailor, airman, marine or guardsman to risk life and limb for his
country. The least we who have never worn the uniform of our country can do is
honor these heroes. That is the basis of the Veterans Day celebration—to
venerate these great men and women with immense words of gratitude. The edifice
of our society stands on the martyrdom of these selfless souls.
After the horrifying
events of 9/11 there was a surge in patriotism and people of all ages walked into
recruiting stations to sign up for the military. Thousands of young men and women who were too
young to remember the world before 9/11 still wanted to serve a country that’s
been at war against terrorism since they were young children.
The willingness with
which our young people are likely to serve depends on how veterans of earlier
wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. I pray we never see a time when we spit on
returning veterans and call them “baby killers” such as was done to our Vietnam
vets who felt abandoned by their fellow countrymen.
They bravely bore their country’s cause.
The great Chinese
general and military strategist Sun Tzu (544 BC─496 BC) noted, “Regard your
soldiers as your children and they will follow you into the deepest
valleys. Look on them as your beloved
sons and they will stand by you even unto death.”
From the world wars of
Europe to the jungles of Vietnam; from the deserts of the Middle East to the
African continent our veterans have made the world a better place and America the
great country we are today.
We owe them a debt we
can never hope to repay.
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