HONOR ALL WHO SERVED

A VETERAN's DAY TRIBUTE

By Marshall A. Hanson, Naval Reserve Association

Most of America forgets. Veteran's Day has become either a shopping clearance weekend, or another business day exchanged for a holiday on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Others remember with flags and wreaths at national cemeteries.

But Nov 11 is a day of honor, a day of victory, and a day of celebrating the sacrifice and contributions made by the men and women, our boys and girls, who preserved our freedoms. We should give thanks to those who had a faith in God and country to risk their lives to serve.

Each individual of the millions who joined the military risked life, health, family, civilian opportunities and innocence by stepping forward to answer that call to country. If they were lucky enough to return, they brought back experiences that were hard to share with the domestic citizenry. Whether they were combat soldier, or homefront sentinel, they were changed

We remember the victories and defeats in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican American War, the Civil War, the Indian Wars, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and Desert Storm. But we should also remember that we sent our service people into harms way, be it against Barbary Pirates, the Boxer Rebellion, Cuban Missiles, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia/Kosovo, or missions still unknown to the public. We should remember too those service men and women who garrisoned the American Theater. They were willing to go, but were needed in support at home.

Veteran's Day was at first Armistice Day, a holiday to celebrate the end of a war to end wars. We should celebrate the determination of those who fought all wars, as each soldier, sailor; marine or airman was resolute that this would be the last war fought.

With war, and with defense against war comes lessons. Veteran's day should be the day where we share those lessons learned, not just through political speeches but by talking to those who have lived the experiences. We should honor this sage insight.

Today we remember, but we shouldn't mourn. We should not remember the Veteran by the bugled "Taps", but by the "Call to Arms" for service to the country. If you see a person in uniform or with a patch, a ribbon, or even a ballcap that commemorates service, step up and thank them for preserving America. Our nation's freedoms while inalienable must be safeguarded from harm.