Living in a city with such a huge presence of active duty, former
military, and retired military has left me with renewed awe and
appreciation for those who have defended our nation, fought to protect
our liberty, and gone the world over in the cause of American
interests. The numbers of those dead and wounded over the years is too
great a number for me to imagine. On Sunday morning I see the faces of
so many young and middle aged folks who may be there in civilian
clothing but who are always "on duty." We have had colonels and the
lowest of the enlisted ranks, helicopter pilots and mechanics,
paratroopers and chaplains, special forces and regular army. They are
tall and short, men and women, from cities and rural areas, but they
share in common a remarkable sense of duty that makes me feel safe and
secure. More than this, it makes me feel a deep and abiding sense of
gratitude toward those who have served and now serve.
As we observe Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day and known as Remembrance Day
for our Commonwealth friends), we lament that promise of the war to end
all wars has not been kept. Instead we find ourselves in conflict after
conflict. Some are nearer to our homes and some are so far away we can
barely pronounce the geographic names. In the midst of it all are
those young men and women who have borne the lion's share of the burden
of liberty's defense. But don't just say a prayer of thanks, tell a
veteran or active duty soldier "Thank you."
"we lament that promise of the war to end all wars has not been kept."
ReplyDeleteBritish author and social commentator H. G. Wells first used that phrase in a series of articles in 1914, which appeared in his book, The War That Will End War, two and a half years before the U.S. entered the war. Even then the phrase was met with skepticism in England. Woodrow Wilson is known to have used the phrase once.
Wilson used the phrase, "make the world safe for democracy," to lead the U.S. into WWI, or as described in Jim Powell's book, Wilson's War: How Woodrow Wilson's Great Blunder Led to Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, and World War II.
God Bless all veterans, and thank you! 🇨🇦🇺🇸
ReplyDeleteActions speak louder than words.
ReplyDeleteWhy not put the American flag that those veterans fought for back in the sanctuary where it belongs?
Why not recognize the veterans before or during the service on Memorial Day weekend and Veterans day or the Sunday preceding?
Why not have a listing in a prominent spot of those members who have died in service to their country? Why not recognize those that are actively deployed?
Every time I am in the area of the Naval Station Great Lakes and see all the very young new apprentice level Sailors about, I am at awe and am evermore thankful for their service.
ReplyDelete