Today, we honor our military veterans. All of our veterans. Some paid more of a price for their patriotism than others, but they all have paid a price, which we should heartily acknowledge.
The American Revolution, the Civil War, the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and each of the Middle Eastern engagements all conjure notions of what we owe our veterans for. The ragged troops at Valley Forge, the do-or-die invaders at Normandy Beach, the flag raisers at Iwo Jima — all are etched into the American conscience and the American history books. They are the faces of the millions of veterans who have offered all they had for sacrifices to freedom.
Many died so their millions of countrymen didn't have to lose their lives or freedoms.
Many didn't die. Many survived the horrors of combat and came home to return to their lives and families as if nothing had ever happened. Some came with war stories, and some kept those stories to themselves.
Still others served in the services and were never exposed to warfare. They, too, deserve our gratitude. They, too, gave up time from their civilian pursuits to keep America strong in time of need.
They all endured the separations from family, the loneliness and uncertainty of military duty. They gave their best learning to be soldiers and sailors so they would be ready if and when called upon. Some were obliged to serve even though it wasn't their choice to do so. But they gave up valuable time from their careers and families as America ordered.
Most of those who served in the military considered it an honor to do so, and trying to avoid it would never have entered their minds.
To all of them, today is the day we say thanks. To those who did suffer the anguish and agonies of live warfare, we owe an especially profound debt, for the memories of combat can be troubling forever. It's difficult for the average person of typical sensibilities to witness and be a part of such human brutality and emerge unscathed in one way or another.
Many people will be off work today. It's an unending irony that so many non-veterans will have the day off while so many veterans will go to work as usual.
While enjoying a day of leisure, take a moment to give thought to why you're home. Remember the many wars that have preserved your leisure and propagated your prosperity.
And, especially, remember the men and women who have been members of the services, voluntarily or otherwise, and especially those who have given their minds, their bodies and even their lives to allow America to become the beacon of freedom for the world.
One day balanced against all of that is a small repayment, indeed. It's just America's way of saying thanks for giving us so much that we'll never truly be able to redeem it.
