Today is Veteran’s Day. A single day set aside each year for reflecting on the cost of freedom in America. On this day we honor those individuals who have served, and are serving, in this great nation’s armed services.
Some of the battles are well known, from Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, Peleliu, Inchon, the la Drang Valley and Khe Sanh to the current conflicts in the Middle East, including those in places such as Kuwait and Fallujah. Sadly, there are hundreds more of these names of battles and thousands of other difficult military engagements that have never been given the status of a full battle. That is not to say, however, that our soldiers’ involvement in these conflicts did not include serious danger and potential death.
The wars are all different, the tactics evolve and change, and the quality and power of the American military machine is ever increasing. However, there are elemental things common to all wars which never change. These things include the spilling of blood, honor and, most of all, incredible sacrifice.
To be sure, there must be a better way than war. The fact remains, however, that we live in a country whose very definition embraces all that freedom can bring and more often than we would like, others seek to destroy that freedom. At those times, brave and courageous Americans have always stepped forward to defend us, and our freedom. The sacrifice that they make in doing so can never be repaid by any of us.
We should never forget this sacrifice. And on this day, of all days, we should do what little we can to thank all veterans and show them, at least in some small way, that their sacrifices and service are remembered and appreciated.
