When Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” almost 200 years ago, he called America “the land of the free and home of the brave.”
Those words are as true today as they were back then. Throughout our Nation’s history, American soldiers (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coastguard) have bravely answered the call to defend our freedom.
Join me today, Veterans Day, to honor all the men and women who have served our country and preserved our many freedoms.
Photo taken by author.
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In Canada we too remember on this day. For us it is the poem, “In Flanders Fields” written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae that sparks emotion (and the reason we wear poppies to remember the courage of the fallen.)
Mac, From a Veteran and on behalf of all veterans, Thank you for thinking of us for at least one day a year.
I deployed four times over my career so far and I have slowly built a list of those for whom I fight. Every time someone steps up to me and thanks me for my service, I get a tear in my eye and I choke up a bit. It reminds me of my Father who served in WWII in the South Pacific. He sacrificed his eyesight and hearing in one eye and one ear to defend this country. I am very fortunate that I have not sacrificed that much.
I would also like to bring your attention to those Veterans who recieve little to no recognition. The families we leave behind, many forever, who plod along at home without us. I commend the Military Spouse for their service. Over 22 years of marriage (to the same woman) we have spent about 10 years searated due to my service. She raised two boys on her own during their teen age years. I have a sister who did the same during her husband’s Navy Career. While the nation thanks us for our service, I thank those men and women, parents, wives, husbands, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters who sacrificed their time with us. No matter whether we came home or not, those who left never returned. Many lost their lives, even more were irrevocably changes in mind and spirit. I feel that the statement “All gave some, some gave all” fails to capture what was truly sacrificed. Our families gave all they had, and I am eternally grateful to them. As a veteran I feel that this is simply another job that needs to be done. For me there is no sacrifice in what I do, but my wife and children gave up their husband and father, who never really returned from the war.
@ David – appreciate your visit and thanks for the comment. Very well said!