Tomorrow is Veterans Day. A day that is filled with thoughts and emotions ranging from feelings of gratefulness to feelings of heartache.
In a statement this week om their website, the American Legion says Veterans Day is “a time of celebration, a day they say when Americans everywhere should acknowledge the service of the millions of men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since our nation’s founding in 1776.”
But they also point to the sobering fact that for many of the men and women who serve in the military, the war often continues after they have left the battlefield.
Sometimes wounded and facing life-long disabilities and challenges…with many having struggles to adjust to normal life after returning home.
As the father of a 33-year-old volunteer firefighter who became a soldier and served two tours in Afghanistan, and then came home and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound said about his son.” He saw some stuff that he shouldn’t. It messed up his marriage and lost some friends…but I still missed some of the signs.”
As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day tomorrow, let us not forget these Americans who have chosen to protect us.
And as the American Legion reminds us, we also should celebrate the lives of the men and women who are currently serving, often in places far from home. Just like the many who have served before them. they are defending our freedom and that’s what Veterans Day should be about..
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: AFP via Getty Images