Colorado, USA
I was raised on patriotism although I did not know it as that growing up. In our home, pride in country, reverence for the flag and respect for the men and women who served in the military was status quo. We were proud Americans. We are proud Americans.Veterans peopled my life... but, I knew them as Dad or Uncle or friends of the family. Veterans wives nurtured my life... but I knew them as Mom or Aunt or Mrs. The men served our country and the women as well, just in a different capacity. My perception was these are "the good guys", doing their "duty", fighting the "good fight". To me, they were all men on the same caliber as movie heroes John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart. Later, it should come as no surprise, I became the wife of a boy who became a military man. Carrying on in military family tradition came naturally.
My Dad served in the USAF for twenty years. He is a Vietnam Veteran (boots on the ground and in the air), but also a Veteran of other conflicts. My husband served in the USAF for eight years. He is also a Vietnam Veteran (thankfully, the closest his boots got to Nam was Guam near the end of the war effort). I say thankfully because war becomes a different animal when you can put a face in the midst of the chaos, when you hang on the words of the evening news broadcast and breathe a sigh of relief when your loved one's location is not spoken, when you wait for the postman to bring a worn envelope, worried by many hands as it made its way across the seas. Gratification was not as it is today... it was not instant via cell phone and internet... it was wait and worry, it was hope and carry on.
There were no flags waving or bands playing or fanfare when Dad returned from Vietnam. It was just US, the family, grateful to have his boots on American soil once again. There was no party when Dad retired from the USAF. One day he was active duty and the next he was retired with not much to show for it other than a document or two, a hard-earned bronze star and a few well worn uniforms. What I know to be an unspoken fact, is the sense of self worth, accomplishment and assurance that while it [his service] may have gone unrecognized - the contribution to society and this country as a whole was significant. The same goes for many who have served and those who serve today.
The key word here: unrecognized.
Veterans Day, as I remember it was acknowledged as an important remembrance day and the meaning and import of it was taught in our classrooms. I grew up attending military celebrations -- air shows, parades and fireworks where patriotic music blared across open field and down city streets. We climbed in airplanes boosted up by powerful hands of men in uniform. We wore flags on our lapels. We stood and saluted the flag when it passed. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance and we sang the National Anthem (without question and without doubt).
I cannot think of a single faction of our society more deserving of tribute than an American Military Veteran. They deserve our respect, our homage, our heartfelt thanks. No single day set aside on our calendar could be more important.
A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. Sadly, we (We the People) have cashed the check on far too many soldiers without many of us ever pausing to remember their sacrifice, or the sacrifice of their families... When you hug the neck of a Gold Star Mom or Dad trying to hold it together while we celebrate their son or daughter, or acknowledge the price they have paid, try putting the face of your child in their child's place.
Nowadays, Patriotism is vilified at every turn by the powers that be and their minions (the media). Being patriotic is the new kooky. FYI: it's a kookiness I whole-heartedly embrace. People march down streets and rally at our national monuments carrying signs that proclaim themselves to be Patriots, real Americans. I've participated in a couple of rallies and enjoyed the overall experience, but I have to tell you -- after examining the motivation behind the guest speakers and politicians (all brimming over with eloquent rhetoric), I grew weary of the double-talk and slander. Not enough speech is red, white and blue rhetoric. Not enough of what I hear is grounded in red, white and blue ideology. Real American Patriots carry Ol' Glory and vote. Real Americans defend our country from enemies no matter where the culprits may reside. Real Americans voice their opinion where it counts - the voting booth. And Veterans? Veterans are the best of us.
What I believe is We are All Americans (at least those of us who can legally call ourselves American) so it should follow that we are all American Patriots. That's the logic of it. Unfortunately, there is a glaring deficit of proof in regards to such logic. It's a rather revolting revelation to learn that not all Americans are patriots. On second thought, perhaps those people are neither - really.
Because of my association with and appreciation of Veterans, I do not have to figure out who I am or which side of the fence I am on. I am an American. I am a Patriot. I am the daughter of a Veteran. I am the wife of a Veteran. I am friend to many a Veteran. My ties are firm. My beliefs are set. I am not conflicted.
I am not kooky either, despite evidence to the contrary... evidence collected by those suffering from a severe attack of politically correct delusions.
I believe in times of chaos and uncertainty, it is the philosophy of the Veteran that makes the most sense. Country First. Veterans are American Patriotism personified. The character of a Veteran is earmarked with traits and respectabilities that are above question: Duty, Honor, Truth, Justice, Freedom, Liberty, Allegiance, Respect, Courage and Remembrance.
Veterans wear flags on their lapels (on suits and leather jackets) and on their backs. Veterans fly flags at their homes and take issue with those who disrespect Ol' Glory. Veterans stand and salute the flag as it passes. Veterans recite the Pledge of Allegiance and consider it an honor to do so. Those who dismiss the pledge as an archaic children's poem - would be encouraged to reevaluate that position by a Veteran. Veterans know the words of the Declaration of Independence... or, more importantly they know when words have been altered, twisted or omitted. Veterans know the words to the National Anthem aka Star Spangled Banner. They also know, another Veteran would never belittle a teary eye or a moment of choked off silence after hearing oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave..... o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Veterans are not politically correct. A thing is what it is. A truth is a truth. A lie is a lie. A wrong is something that needs to be righted.
An enemy is an enemy.
Case in point: Terrorism. Oh, that's right, we are not fighting terrorists... our sons and daughters have died correcting the course of misguided (albeit murderous) extremists. Say that to a Gold Star Mom or Dad and I guarantee your backside will be permanently embedded with a Veterans boot print.
The Veterans of my acquaintance would not hesitate to stand again to defend this country or the ideals that make the United States great. When Veterans learn that military families need assistance, they band together and provide that assistance.
When Veterans learned that others planned to dishonor our military sons and daughters, they soldiered-up and found a way to silence the deluded and protect and honor the fallen and their families. I am speaking of The Patriot Guard here, because most of our family and motorcycle friends are involved with that fine organization. Dad and many of his friends serve as Ride Captains for the North Texas Patriot Guard.
It should go without saying, there are countless other Veteran-based organizations that provide services too numerous to mention, all of them worthy and selfless in their endeavors -- most of them formed out of a proclivity to serve their fellow man - not because of some political mandate.
Veterans never stop being soldiers. They are still "the good guys", doing their "duty", fighting the "good fight".
Veterans walk among us. Young or old - the least we can do, when we run across a Veteran is to say a simple and heartfelt - thank you for your service! And, if you run across a Gold Star Mom or Dad, the least you can say is -- thank you for your sacrifice. And, if that all seems too personal - fly the flag, from your house, from your car and wear it on your person. Trust me, they will notice.
What follows is my Veterans Day Tribute to Ted (My Dad). He was my first hero. This years images show Dad and his friends, riding out, on roads that are "free", protected by their vigilance, determination and the blood of the brave, flags unfurled behind their motorcycles, or standing the flag line, honoring veterans and their families and generally doing what is "right". We could all learn from their excellent example.
To All Veterans. My thanks to you today and every day. You know who you are. You make me proud.
Veterans Day Tribute #1 2010
I can not express how thankful I am for men like your dad, husband, and my dad (WWII vet). We owe so much to the men and women who have served and/or are serving our great county.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post.